■^-^ >^:> . ZZ 

z> :>>ID> ^ Z 
> >i> :> t: 



3 :> 

>Z> 









>i>r>SZ>> Z'>Z>^'^^ 

:z>m>^^y'^j> ^ 

- Z>2X> , 



::> J> . 



^ > 



' ~'"D> ^^Z> Zy Z> z>y)Z 
' -^^Z:^ 3Z> ZZ> Z> :>»>_ 

^ ;2> :>:!>■ ^"3"^ :-^»t 

T2> ■ T> ^Z>> ZXZ>ZiK>^mZ 






# LIBRARY OF CONGRESS,^ 

jtlmp.a:^...... |o;gi;ri5hf i'o _ ! 

i — ^ -_-_i:i- I 

I UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. | 



./ z> zs>z> yz 

- 'Zzy'Zi5z> yz> 
? » zy ~z>z> IX) 

I^ S3> z>z> 

» ">j .z^zsy 'z 



1>-Z) ~z> ZZZ> _ ZZ>'^ 

2y;^>^>'?2> ^z> 
P Z>> z> z> z> 



>*3 



:> z> ^ '' . 



'^:<? Z>Z) 

^z> Ziy^^ 

ZZ^ ^^^ 






rr^^r 



:^;^ ^> 



'>> "V^ 



i:) 3 ) 33 OO 

>3 3 > 3!) 3 3 

^l> 33 3 3 3)3 

^ 3 > .3^3 33 

35> 3 ) 3 3 '33 ■ 
.3)3' > -3 3 3^ 



>3 3 



) 3 35" 



/i3' 33-.3^^>ri>-.:3 

- 153^ .^- 3)> ^3 • 3 .^ 

-XJ* '^^ :3^3 .- 

3 X> :».>3 ■>3; 3 3 

^:^ "3»-» '>^3 >3> ;^ -^:S 



3:) 3 
3 ■> n 



::53 ^ ~) J 

33' ) • 
2)3 
>3 3 
:):) 3 3 

3) 3 : 

3>3^ 3 

e» 3 3 

3 3 



53. 



>)3 )3o -r 

>3 ■ 333.33330::^ .33,- 

)3 33)3#1>>::»31^ 33 

yy 3 33?'= v>^33)Zi> ;>i):. 
>y 3:^3 33)::i> ::B. 

^O 3'' 3)3:,, .^> .■:335_'3>" 3, 
3 3' 33i' 3>:0'3::2) 3>:^ 

:■:,) 3 "2)'D»' 3 :3::2>::2) ::3J> 

3:^ 33 ^;3:)3)33) 
3> 3:) 3 3_3>3X3J>^ 

> 32 3 3 3>3 3> 3^ 3 

> 33 3 3 33 3^ »?) ^ 
' 33 "3 .'3 3> 3 3) ^S>. 



3 ^>^^^ 
.3 ■->3_2?3 

^ 3 3:) 3 

3 3 32 3 
3 3 3> 3 
3 3 3) 3 
3 3 33 2 
3 3 33 3 
3 0> 3>3 "> -: 
3 3 33 y 



2 3 23 



>2 

:)3 

>3 



3 x3' 

3-3' 



3^ 



3 3 3> 

33 33 
33 3^ 

;)'»:> ■> ~"> A-v ~ 



) 3 3> 

) 3 33 

> ' 2 3> 
^ '3 33) 

> 3 33^ . 
3 2 33 

■ 3Y^>3 33' 

> 2 33 
>.-> 33. 

^^2 33 
>)iV) 3-3 
) '^0 ■> 3 

> -.> y> p3 



2 ->>J> 



D 233 

? 33 J 

23 "a 

) 33 
5 33 

^:3x> 



^ 3)1 

■-' 32 

:^ 33 
- 3:1; 

3 3" 
'3 1>^ 



THE 



^,%^;^ 



dial's? 



l^^^i.^m^^^:^fi 




v>m^3.^ 



'€Z'S^''Ww^¥'siim^^^%^^ 




AND 




VETERINARY COUNSELOR 



By D k . A\^ . 8 A u IS D E 



RS 



ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS: 

Ai'-uAiiAM K. Smith. Printer and Binder. Gazkttk Okfice. 

i8t6. 



THE 



Improved Practical System 



OF 



mil coLis II moi wmei i mci 



ALSO A NEW METHOD OF 



TEACHING PACING HORSES TO TROT, 



AND A 



TREATISE ON SHOEING, 



TOGETHER WITH THE 



]VIo>st Ii^fallible f^i'e^di'icptior}^ kT\d f^edicpe^ 



AS USED IN HIS REGULAR PRACTICE, 

ACCURATELY PROPORTIONED, AND PROPERLY ADAPTED 

TO EVERY KNOWN DISEASE TO WHICH 

THE HORSE IS LIABLE. 

i^ - 



BY DR. W. SAUNDERS 



Also, Particular Directions, how to Use his Operating Check in 
Breaking and Training Colts and Horses. 




Abraham E. Smith, Printer and Binder, Gazette Office. 

1876. 



St- 

c 



PREFACE. 



THE author of this work has prepared it for the purpose of 
correcting many erroneous notions which now prevail in the 
care and management of Horses, as M'^ell as to place in the 
hands of those interested a valuable instructor. Embraciog, as it does, 
the most reliable treatment that om- present knowledge of the diseases 
of the horse enables us to offer, together with a new method of teaching 
colts and pacing horses to trot without a track, it cannot fail to be 
a valuable assistant to those having the care and management of horses. 

In the previous editions of this work there are many points which 
experience has taught me are incorrect, and in this issue I labor to remove 
all such erroneous impressions. 

My method of breaking colts and training horses, with the use of my 
operating check for the same, is peculiar to myself, and I hope to make 
it useful to the reader. My treatment of diseases, my new recipes, and 
my explanations of the symptoms of every disease (and especially thoset 
symptoms which distinguish each disease from every other for which it 
is liable to be mistaken) have been carefully revised and prepared by 

The Author. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year i8y^, 

BY DR. W. SAUNDERS, 
/;/ the Offi.ce of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



f. 



AGREEMENT. 



This .may certity, that I pledge my word and honor, and agree in the 
spirit of mutual interest to keep this book and its c(;u tents, as a secret 
from all those wlio have not bous^lit one of the same. 



INDEX. 

Amaurosis __ 15 

Alterative Condition Powders ___ 34 

Agreement _ __ 40 

Breaking the Colt to Drive 5 

Bags or Washers _ 16 

Broken Wind, or Heaves _ 20 

Bone Spavin 25 

Blood or Bog Spavin _. 26 

Bake in the Manifolds _ 38 

Big Head or Big Jaw 39 

Crowding or Cringing 5 

Cataract 16 

Colic ___ _ 21 

Canker 23 

Capped Hock 25 

Curb ... 26 

Cheesey Tumors in the Nose... _ 32 

Carron Oil, to Make 33 

Colic ... 34 

Common Physic ^ . 35 

Cough Powders 35 

Chronic Cough Tincture 35 

Cold Lotion for Inflammation 35 

Diseases of the Horse -■ 14 

Diseases of the Eye _ 15 

Diseases of the Mouth __ ...- . 16 

Diarrhoea ___ 21 

Diseases, Medicines, etc 30 

Dr. W. Saunders' Operating Check 40 

Enlargement of the Throaid Gland ___ 31 

Eye Water 34 

Founder 23 



INDEX. Hi. 

Fistula of the Withers, 28 

Farcy '28 

Flax Seed Jelly 33 

Fomentations ..... _ 36 

Flatulent Colic or Bloating 38 

Glanders _ 28 

Halter Breaking the Wild Colt ___ 3 

Hitching the Colt in the Stall __ 5 

Hints Upon the Horse _ 13 

Hide bound _. 29 

How to cure Corns .__ __ . 31 

How to Know a Horse's Age . . _ _ 37 

Hollow Horn 39 

Interfering __ 11 

Inflammation of the Haw _ .. 15 

Influenza — . 18 

Inflammation of the Bowels 20 

Inflammation of the Brain 27 

Iodine Ointment _ 34 

Inflammation of the Udder in Cows 38 

Jimpsiacum _- 35 

Lampass . . 16 

Lockjaw - - - 29 

Lime Water, to Make _ 33 

Mange 29 

Nasal Gleet — 18 

Navicular Joint Lameness 24 

Overreaching __ 12 

Ossification of the Lateral Cartilages _ 24 

Putting the Halter on the Colt 3 

Pneumonia 19 

Pleurisy 19 

Pomiced Feet.__ __ 24 

Palpitation of the Heart __ 26 

Poll Evil . 27 

Poultry Lousiness 31 

Poll Evil and Fistula 33 

Pulse . - 36 

Poultices 36 

Physic for Cattle 38 

Quitter. _ 22 

Quick Physic __. 35 

Retention of Urine 22 

Ring Bone 26 

Rheumatism 30 

Rheumatic Liniment 33 

Shoeing 10 

Stopping the Feet 10 

Shoeing Horses for Corns 11 

Shoeing for Quarter-Cracks 11 

Shoeing the Colt 12 

Simple Ophthalmia 15 

Specific Ophthalmia 15 



iv. INDEX. 

Slavering __ „ 16 

Sore Throat __ 17 

Strangles 17 

Sore Mouth 16 

Scratches or Grease 23 

Sweeny and Shoulder Strain 24 

Stomach Staggers -.- 27 

Surfeit 29 

Saddle or Collar Galls _ 30 

Sand Crack _ 31 

Splint 31 

Strain of the Stifle-joint ___ 32 

Signs of Disease in the Horse 39 

The Yankee Bridle ___ 4 

Training to Trot Without a Track _ . . 7 

The Pacer: 9 

Thrush. .___ 22 

To Reduce Swelling Caused by Hurt _ 35 

To Prevent Inflammation 35 

To Prevent Catching Diseases 36 

To Cleanse Stables 36 

To Drive Maggots Out of a Sore 36 

To Make a Star on a Horses' Forehead _ 36 

Taking the Placanta Away 38 

The Pulse 39 

The Membrane of the Nose _ 39 

The Eyes — - _. 39 

The Mouth 40 

The Breathing 40 

The Feet 40 

The Hair 40 

The Skin 40 

The Flanks 40 

Wolf Teeth _ ___ _ IT 

Worms 21 

Warts .- - — - 30 

Windgalls . . , - 31 

Weights and Measures 37 



TfiE 



Hoi^SE-P 



WNER'S 



JA 



ANUAL 



And Veterinary Counselor. 




HALTER - BREAKING THE WILD COLT. 

AVING had an experience of fifteen years in the business 
■- of breaking colts and training horses, and having given 
• particular attention to the nature, liabits and disposition 
of the horse, I have, by the light of my experience, 
made many valuable improvements in the system of 
educating this useful animal to be subservient to the 
wants of man. In the following lessons I endeavor to 
explain, in the most direct manner possible, certain 
infallible rules, which if strictly adhered to will surely 
and safely accomplish the desired result. 

PUTTING THE HALTER ON THE COLT. 

This operation is often accompanied with danger unless the proper 
steps are taken to avoid it. The first step to be taken, is to see that the 
enclosure in which you intend to operate upon the colt, is unoccupied by 
anything which might distract or draw the attention of the colt; for 
instance, fowls, domestic animals, etc. Being prepared, the object is 
then to get the colt into his training place as carefully as possible; this 
done, I proceed as follows : Take a stick about the size of a rake-stale. 



HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 



and twelve feet long. At one end drive two small nails, the first about 
two inches from the end, the second ten inches from the first. Take a 
common rope halter, with a running noose and a stale at least sixteen 
feet long; hang the part of the halter which is intended to rest on the 
head back of the ears, upon the nails. You are now ready to commence 
operations with the colt, in doing which it is advisable to under- 
stand the fact that curiosity is a strong trait in the horse, and when not 
overcome by fear or some other powerful influence, is sure to prevail. 
This you will test by taking the halter with the noose unloosened three 
or four feet, holding the end of the stale with the stick in both hands ; 
standing about opposite the shoulder, move the halter gently toward the 
colt, taking it back as soon as possible ; repeat this a few times, putting 
it a little nearer each time. He will soon reach his nose toward it to 
smell, when you will hold the stick pretty well up over the head, and 
while the animaPs attention is attracted by the swinging of the halter? 
you will gently pass the rope over his ears, and turning the stick half 
around droj^ the rope from the nails upon the coifs head. This will 
cause him to start back, and, by holding firmly ujDon the halter-stale, the 
noose will be drawn up, fastening the halter upon the head. The stick 
may now be laid aside. 

Having your colt haltered, your object is now to teach him its use. 

You will take a position about opposite the shoulder, still keeping at a 
distance, and give him a short, sharp pull toward you, suflicient to move 
liim, immediately slackening your pull. The object in doing this is to 
cause the animal to feel your power to move him, and by slackening the 
pull you do not give liim time to resist, which, if the pull should be 
steady, he would most certainly do. You will repeat the operation upon 
the other side, alternating from side to side ; never attempt a forward 
pull in the first lesson, because you cannot move him in that direction, 
and by doing so would teach him to be bad to lead. Should the colt 
prove to be of a stubborn disposition, and refuse to move as you desire, 
you will have to resort to the "Yankee Bridle." This consists of a 
common three strand half-inch rope, ten or twelve feet in length. In 
one end form a loop large enough to pass on to a horse's lower jaw back 
of the bridle teeth. Being prepared, stand by the near side of the colt; 
throw the end with the loop over his neck ; reaching under the neck with 
the hand pass the end of the rope down through the loop ; then, keeing 
loop the same side up, place it in the colt's mouth back of the bridle 
teeth, and with your right hand draw up on the rope. Having the bridle 
on the colt, you will now step back and repeat the pulling operation, 
being careful to get a side pull. As you pass in front, if the colt shows 
a disposition to move, instead of pulling immediately, first approach and 
caress him, and, as far as you can, encourage the animal whenever he 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. 



shows signs of doing what you require, until he steps willingly without 
the pull. As soon as he becomes perfectly accustomed to obey the side 
pull, you may then, and not before, commence to teach him to obey tlie 
forward pull by gently pulling him straight ahead ; and if he leads, no 
matter how little, caress him and repeat; but be careful and not pull too 
hard. If he does not move wdth a reasonable pull, give him two or 
three of the short side pulls, and try again. In a little while he will 
obey your desire, and lead. You are now ready for 

HITCHING THE COLT IN THE STALL. 

The stall should be about four feet wide, having a hole bored on each 
side of the rear end, to tie a rope across, about four feet in* height. You 
will lead the colt into the stall, pass the halter-stale through the ring or 
place for tying, and keep your hold of the end; and, as you come out, 
put up the obstruction in the rear liefore tying the halter. Now tie the 
end of the halter to the rope in the rear, near the left side of the stall, 
and in such a manner that if the colt attempts to back out of the stall he 
will hit the rope before the halter is tightened. By observing these 
rules, and for the first few days not hitching the colt where he has a 
chance to pull, there is no danger that he will ever become a halter- 
puller. As a partial guard over your own temper, never speak sharp or 
over-loud, but gently and firml3^ For instance, in your side-pulls say, 
" Come here, sir." This, kept up, will eventually teach the colt to come 
to you on being called by these words. 

CROWDING OR CRINGING. 

If the colt crowds or cringes upon your entering the stall, you will, as 
you enter, gently caress him and feed him from your hand. If a few at- 
tempts do not improve him, you will j)ut the "Yankee Bridle" upon him, 
throwing the end over a beam or other convenient place overhead; hold 
the end with the halter-stale in your hand; stand out of reach behind 
him, and pull the halter against his side, at the same time saying firmly, 
"Stand around." Should he attempt to kick, give a sharp pull on the 
bridle, repeating the words as before. The head being now drawn up, 
it will be impossible for him to kick. This plan will soon teach him to 
stand around at the word. This bridle is a powerful means of controlling 
horses that are bad to harness, l^ad to clean, &c. 

BREAKING THE COLT TO DRIVE. 

For this, prepare a bridle by attaching the " Operating Check" and a 
well-padded leather girth with three loops firmly sewed on — one at the 
center on the back, and one on each side about where the thill-straps 
would be on a single harness. Put the harness upon the colt, and pass 



HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 



the reins through the loops oq the side through the bit rings and through 
the pulleys on the check, with the throat-latch quite loose. 

Everything being ready, you will take a position behind the colt, reins 
in hand, and with the whip gently urge him to move. After a short 
drive you may commence to turn the colt in difterent directions — unless 
he has already tried his own skill at " facing the music," in which case 
you have him, for, as he turns, one rein is brought about his haunches, 
thus putting a sudden check to his good manners. You will now use the 
whip about his hind-quarters — and if he is ever going to kick, it is when 
the rein and whip tickle him a little in those parts. Should he kick 
once he will not be very likely to repeat it, for the rein aljout his 
haunches will*telegraph the news to the " main office," and he will con- 
clude it is bad news. 

The head is the main part of the horse — it is the part where the conceit 
lies; if we can control this part of the horse other parts will follow. 
There is nothing in the world that will take the conceit out of a kicking 
or runaway horse as quick as my Operating Check. There is no means 
])y which you can teach a colt or horse to l)ack, and obey every motion 
and pull of the rein, as quick as with the Operating Check. Teaching a 
colt to back, however, should not be attempted until he is well broken 
to go ahead; and then, the first few times, without a load and in favora- 
ble places. 

If these precautions are taken you will not be likely to have baulky 
horses — if you break them yourself. When you desire to hitch the colt 
with another horse, you will let the reins out, as much as the distance 
from the bit to the check-hook would be, turning the crotch-rein on the 
broken horse outside. Pass the reins on the colt up through his bit- 
rings, so on through the pulleys on the Operating Check, buckling them 
to the check-hook or back-pad. You will readily see that you have the 
same power as though the colt was in single harness. In case your reins 
have a buckle near or just back of the crotch (as most round double reins 
have), you can make a third rein of a small rope of sufficient length, 
putting it on the same as you would the other reins, forming a crotch 
just l)ack of the turret-rings, hitching the other reins as usual. With 
that powerful controlling instrument, the Operating Check, at your com- 
mand, I deem the above remarks sufficient to guide the competent opera- 
tor to the proper course to control any horse that has not been entirely 
spoiled by mismanagement. 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. 



THE ART OF TRAINING THE HORSE TO TROT WITHOUT 

A TRACK. 

In order to give an understandina: of the true principles of teaching a 
colt to trot, we commence with 

PASTURE HABITS. 

Very important habits of the colt in the pasture, such as jumping, 
running, &e., may be effectually prevented by the following means : 
Take an old strap-halter with a brow-piece (old because it will not 
shrink), without the halter-stale; fit it closely to the head, leaving the 
nose-piece loose enough to allow for a free movement of the jaws; take 
a piece of common medium harness leather about ten inches square ; on 
two sides fasten a strong piece of wire six inches in length, placing it so 
that the ends are equally distant from the corners of the leather; bend 
the wires in a semicircular form ; punch holes in each corner of the 
leather and tie in leather strings ; place this leather upon the colt's face, 
the bow of the wires out from and directly in front of the eyes, tying the 
strings at the top to the sides of the halter just above the brow-piece and 
those at the bottom to the rings where the nose-piece and sides unite. 
This gives him plenty of liberty to look sideways, but he cannot look 
ahead, and so has no confidence to either jump or run, and will do 
neither. This leather is invaluable to those having the care of young 
stallions, or colts to be trained for trotters. For instance, if the stallion 
sees a horse in the road and starts for him, he will lose sight of him the 
moment he turns to start in that direction, and of course goes no further; 
if to be trained for a trotter, by the use of this leather he never runs, 
giving a better opportunity for the walking and trotting muscles to be 
developed. When we first hitch a horse to a light skeleton wagon, of 
course we know what we want him to do ; but it cannot be supposed 
that the horse knows, therefore we must commence in some way calcu- 
lated to give the horse an idea of what we want him to do. The best 
method ever introduced for this purpose, consists in wl>at I shall denomi- 
nate the Scoring System, which is indeed a great improvement over the 
usual method of the track. I find that a flat of not over eighty rods in 
length is the best scoring ground, and is far superior to the track system 
for teaching the horse or colt to gather quickly, for he sees the end of 
his job and takes courage, knowing that at each end he can stop and 
turn around; this gives him breath and a little rest. It was only after 
personally testing this principle that I was convinced of its great impor- 
tance, and now" make it known to the public, for it is the quickest way 
that w^as ever discovered to make a horse do exactly what you want him 



HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 



to do, which is to trot as fast as he can without breaking. You must 
have a light skeleton wagon, nothing over ninety pounds will do. In 
the absence of this use a sulky or saddle, and proceed as follows : Pre- 
pare two rollers by cutting twenty-four pieces of corn-cob, each three- 
fourths of an inch in length; punching the pith out, these are to be 
mounted on two straps one-fourth of an inch wide and fifteen inches 
long, twelve on each strap, the large pieces in the middle and the small 
ones at each end. These rollers are to be buckled very loose around the 
fetlock joint, next to the hoof, so they will play loose up and down and 
rattle when the horse is in motion. This gives him gamey, high-kneed 
action and makes him trot faster, for, as soon as the horse finds some- 
thing loose on his feet that he does not understand, he will lift them up 
higher, thinking that he can step out of them; this gets the front feet 
up and out of the way of the hind feet, and he will then throw his hind 
feet out further and handsomer, and will increase rapidly in his reach at 
every stride. But they must be changed from front to hind feet until he 
steps to suit you, then use them there, but only every other day while 
training on the flat; this gives the best possible effect. The best way is 
to put them on the fore feet first, letting him run around to the halter, 
changicg them to the hind feet; after this it is safe to put them on and 
drive him. If he hitclies on either hind foot, put a roller on the opposite 
hind foot only; this will make him travel even. If the horse is very 
spirited, go gently until he gets used to the rollers, which he will do in 
a day or so. If he shows signs of viciousness, such as bolting, or refus- 
ing to rein, you will give him a lesson the same as in breaking the colt; 
this will bring him to time. If he is a very hard puller and does no 
yield to the rein as you desire, you will drive him to wagon with the 
reins hitched the same, except, of course, removing them from the loop 
on the side to the terret-ridge. You will find this a God-send to control 
hard-mouthed horses. When first commencing to train a colt, drive 
slowly over the flat or scoring ground until he gets used to it; then hold 
him middling strong and urge with the whip, if necessary, and by pull- 
ing up gently on the reins and letting him out again, chirping to him as 
you let out, it urges or lifts him along, and says, "a little faster," "just 
a little more," and he will soon di'ive beautifully by the bit. This magic 
touch of the bit is the most splendid secret ever known to the horseman. 
Don't make the colt break his trot if you can help it; if he does break, 
don't haul him down too quick, but let him run a few rods, gently pull- 
ing him to the right and then to the left, teaching him to run into his 
trot without losing any speed. After coming in from the scoring exer- 
cise, the colt should be scraped with a wooden knife or scraper — made 
in a semi-circular form — to remove the sweat, then rubbed dry with 
cloths or straw, and covered with a blanket or two, if necessary, to keep 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. 



him from getting chilled. Never exercise a colt too much at one time, 
or he will get tired and discouraged and want to give it up. 

Don't Sj)eed a horse on a full stomach ; always feed two or three hours 
before work. Never give more than two quarts of water when starting 
out. Always keep a trotting horse well shod. The colt must be fed well, 
and groomed well to give him life, for as he looks so he will feel. Always 
teach a colt to go with other horses, and not get excited at a noise. If 
convenient, have a boy ride another horse so as to keep with or a little 
ahead of you, while training on the flat ; this will encourage the colt to 
try his best. If any inquisitive person should ask what you have the 
corn-cob rollers on for, you may say "to keep him from interfering," and 
not break your word of honor. 

In picking out a colt or horse, always get the handsomest one you can, 
with an easy, loose, open gait, and as many of the following good points 
as you can : Strong, slanting shoulders (these are the only ones suited 
to easy or rapid action), and strong, muscular arms. The arm is the 
most important part of a horse ; that the horse may have length of stride 
and gather quick, it is necessary that the arm, and the elbow particularly, 
should be long. It is almost impossible for the elbow to be too long, 
but very common for a horse, otherwise well-formed, to have very poor 
action, solely on account of it being too short to enable him to gather 
well. In addition to length in the arm and elbow, full, swelling muscles 
are necessary to furnish the requisite power to raise the knee, throw the 
limb tor ward, and gather up with proper quickness. A narrow, flat and 
short arm is a defect for which no other quality can make up. The leg, 
from the knee to the fetlock joint, must be short — from the fetlock to the 
hoof long, and mechanically formed. The back should be short in pro- 
portion to his length; loins broad and strong; neck rather light, feet 
small, but sound. If you have a colt with these points well developed, 
with no tricks, don't sell him too quick. First teach him what you 
want him to do, and when you can't improve him any more, then, if you 
can get your price, sell — and not until then. 

THE PACER. 

It is a well-known fact, that some of the best and fastest trotters we 
have at the present time w^ere, from nature, pacers. If you have a fast 
pacer, it will pay you well to try this simple, but effectual, method of 
teaching them to trot : Lay rails in a circle, three feet apart in the centre, 
two and a-half at the inside, and three and a-half at the outside of the 
circle — the circle being at least twenty-five yards in circumference. Now 
have a boy or light man mount the horse, and walk him over the rails at 
the inside of the circle ; and, as soon as he becomes accustomed to step- 
ping over them, rein him toward the outside and start him on a trot — he 



TO HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 

must trot, for it will be impossible for him to pace over the rails. This 
practice, if kept up, will soon learn any pacing horse to trot permanently. 

SHOEING. 

The object in shoeing horses is to prevent the lioofs from being broken 
or otherwise injured, as would naturally result from driving over hard 
roads unprotected in this manner. It has often been remarked, and 
truly so, that "No foot, no horse," which literally means tliat a horse 
without sound feet is of but little value. The preservation of the horse's 
feet depends very much upon careful and skillful application of the shoe, 
independently of its being constructed on correct principles. Many 
horses with very bad feet are enabled to go sound for many years by 
careful shoeing, while a bungling hand would render the same animal 
unfit for service in a single shoeing. It requires considerable tact to fit 
a shoe properly on a bad or weak foot, so as to protect it from injuiy. 
It has been proven, by long experience, that the sensitive parts within 
the hoof do not suffer so long as the bearing of the animal is confined to 
the crust or wall ; but when removed from that bearing they soon become 
diseased. Hence, if the sole of the foot bear against the shoe in any 
considerable degree, the fleshy or inner sole becomes bruised between 
the shoe and the horny sole below and the coffin-boue above — the horse 
soon becomes lame, in consequence of corns making their aiDjjearauce. 

On removing a portion of the horn, we find a red spot, sometimes 
slightly, at other times of a brownish or bluish-red appearance. 

The feet, in the latter stage, are in such a condition as to require 
prompt attention, or we may have a sinus forming through the quarter, 
producing a disease known as Quitter, often terminating in jDcr- 
manent lameness, and frequently in defoinnity. Few men believe 
corns to be of so serious a nature, hence their readiness to attribute 
these effects to other causes. Another evil in s^hoeing which is calcu- 
lated to do much mischief, is the fitting of the shoe to the foot while 
red-hot. The application of the shoe in this condition, causes the crust 
or wall to become diy and wire in at the heels, tending to cause con- 
traction of the feet. Ossification, Nevicular joint disease, founder, 
and a variety of other diseases, are frequently due to contraction of the 
feet; one of the errors of shoeing, being among the chief causes. 

To satisfy yourself of this fact, apply a red-hot iron to your finger-nail, 
and I think you will say with me, that it is injurious. 

STOPPING THE FEET. 

I am not disposed to lay all the blame of the evils I have just men- 
tioned to the smith; for I am aware that the hoofs of horses standing 
upon plank floors, not even being allowed the advantages of the dew. 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. ii 



soon become excessively dry and hard, unless artificial means are re- 
sorted to to prevent it, and if shod in this state it is almost impossible 
for the smith to pare them. The opponents of stopping, and there are 
few, offer as an objection, that it sometimes tends to produce Thrush. 

This I do not pretend to deny, where such stopping as cow-dung is 
resorted to ; but it does not occur where linseed meal is used for that 
purpose. This certainly is the best and cleanest application, and can 
be used several times by softening with a little water. 

To keep the soles moist and healthy, the feet should be stopped every 
other nisfht in the Summer, and once a week in the Winter. If the crust 
is brittle, apply the hoof liquid as in coffin joint lameness. 

SHOEING HORSES FOR CORNS. 

Care must be taken that the corn be well cut out, and a little butter of 
antimony, or spirits of salt applied to the parts affected. Fill the cavity 
with a piece of cotton dipped in tar. The hoof from the corn bacl?:ward, 
must be cut away so that no part of the heel strikes the shoe; avoiding 
pressure, relieving the parts from unnecessary concussion. A horse thus 
shod, no matter how bad his corns may be, will travel sound and with 
perfect ease. The same kind of shoe is to be used in these cases, as in 
coffin joint lameness. 

SHOEING FOR QUARTER- CRACK. 

To remedy this evil requires care and judgment. A horse should be 
shod upon the same principles precisely as for corns. The least pressure 
upon the heel will be sufficient to prevent the hoof from growing down, 
and thus defeat any efforts which may be made towards remedying the 
injury. A little tar should be kej^t upon the part, to protect it from dirt. 

INTERFERING. 

Our first object is to ascertain, if possible, the cause of interfering, and 
the part which strikes, whether the shoe or foot. Many horses strike 
from weakness, or long continued exertion. Particularly is this the case 
in young animals. Others cut from the faulty conformation of the limbs : 
the toes turning in or out too much, is a frequent cause. Flat footed 
horses often strike one pastern with the quarter of the opposite foot, and 
in some cases with both feet. To remedy this, make the shoes middling 
straight on the insides. By this means the feet frequently work clear. 

Where this does not succeed, there is no resort but a strip of India- 
rubber, placed ])etween the shoe and foot, projecting at least a quarter of 
an inch beyond the shoe. 



12 HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 

Sometimes horses fall into the habit, on account of balling, as is com- 
mon for them to do, with shoes made so as to form a cup in which silow 
and ice gathers. To overcome this trouble, have the shoes made bevel- 
ing out; that is, with the space smaller next the foot, than it is on the 
ground or lower side; this makes the cup largest at the bottom, and 
the bottom being out, of course it don't hold. 

OVER-REACHING. 

Many persons regard over-reaching as an indication of a bad horse ; yet 
we are compelled to recognize it as a fault in some of the best. It fre- 
quently occurs with young horses, on a moderate gait, and disappears 
altogether on increasing the speed of the animal. It arises from the too 
great activity of the hind legs, the fore ones not being able to get out of 
the way in time. This habit is often brought on l)y too heavy shoeing 
in front, and too light shoeing behind. By reversing this principle, I 
have found it to answer an excellent purpose. This habit too, like inter- 
fering, occurs in young horses after severe driving, from becoming leg- 
weary, a circumstance which should be carefully avoided, as habits are 
easily formed, but often most difficult to be got rid of. 

SHOEING THE COLT. 

To prepare a colt for shoeing the first time, and with a view of making 
him gentle about cleaning, &c., handle his feet in the following manner: 

Strap up one fore foot if he will allow you to do so ; if not, tie a slip- 
noose in a strap and throw upon the ground, in such a way that you can 
get him to step his right foot into the noose; gently pulling it up, fasten 
it as you pull, just above the hoof. Now hold on to the end and as you 
step around in front of him, give the strap a swing over his head, bring- 
ing it across his back. Now take a position about opposite the shoulder 
and pull on the "Yankee bridle." and as the colt throws his weight on 
his left foot, j)ull the right one clear from the ground and hold it up a 
short time, or as long as he struggles; when quiet let down the foot, tak- 
ing up again as before. This not only gets the colt used to taking his 
feet up, but accustoms him to having a weight on his back, thus partly 
breaking him to ride. You will proceed in the same manner with the 
other fore foot; after which, commence to operate on the hind feet. 

Now lay the strap aside, leaving the bridle in the mouth ; with the left 
hand take hold of the bridle within about four feet of the mouth ; holding 
the end in the right hand, throw the rope double on the ground near the 
left hind foot ; take hold of the bridle near the mouth and lead the colt 
ahead until he steps his foot into the loop. As soon as his foot is in the 
loop pull up the slack, bringing the rope about the pastern joint next the 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. 13 



hoof. Should he kick he will hear from it; for as you hold tight on the 
end of the rope, he will get a dispatch from the rear that will take the 
conceit out of the main "office." As soon as he becomes quiet, you will 
take hold of both ropes and lift the foot pretty well up, and pass one 
hand down proceed to handle the foot, rubbing and pulling it a little. 

After taking up and letting down the foot a few times, you will find 
that you can take it up with your hand and hold it. The same process 
must, of course, be gone through with on the other leg, and after a few 
lessons, your colt is ready to go to the blacksmith. 

These rules will also apply to the worst and most vicious animals. 

With a vicious horse, however, you will as soon as convenient strap up 
the foot, by taking a breast strap; lay it on top of the pastern joint with 
the buckle inside, wind once around the joint, bringing the billet end of 
the strap over the arm, and buckle it tight enough to prevent its slipping 
down over the knee. You will take a position opposite the shoulder, 
and use him sharply with the " bridle," pulling earnestly and vigorously 
to and fro, and lead him around on three legs, until you are confident 
that you have completely discouraged him. Take a hammer and strike 
a few times upon the foot which is strapped up, at the same time hand- 
ling it. This will do for horses which strike while being shod forward. 

For kickers, take the same course as with the colt, for handling the 
hind feet, except that as soon as you can you will take a short strap, with 
a ring slipped or buckled around the pastern joint next the hoof; slip 
the end of the rope tlirough the ring having an assistant hold it, you can 
rap and handle as before directed. These same rules will apply to 
mules, though mules are controlled easier. 

HINTS UPON THE HORSE. 

When a balky horse throws himself, grasp him by the nose and shut off 
his wind, and he will get on his pins as quick as he can. If he still re- 
fuses to go, continue to shut off his wind. 

To make a horse stop catching the lines with his tail ; make a crouper 
strap about two inches in diameter and put on him, and he wont hug the 
line any more. 

To make a horse stop nibbling the neck yoke and learning to crib, or 
suck wind; put Cayenne pejiper wet with water on the places where he 
is in the habit of biting. 

To make a horse stop putting his tongue out of his mouth ; buckle a 
narrow strap around his lower jaw; and if not confirmed in the habit, he 
will soon stop this bad looking habit. 

Always approach a strange horse near the shoulder. 

Wet the hay and not the oats, for a coughing horse. 



J 4 HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 

Never let a horse stand long facing a cold wind. 
Feed light when changing feed. 

Use but a few words with a horse, but have them understood. 
Teach before whipping, and when whipping, do it to frighten,— not to 
enrage. 

DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 

Inflammation. — From Inflamo, to burn, — is one of the most common 
forms of disease presented to the Veterinary Surgeon, and regarding 
which many erroneous opinions have prevailed, in consequence of which 
much injury and often serious consequences have resulted. 

With a view to overcome this difficulty, we will give the most simple 
definition of the term inflammation. It is,-- an unnatural and perverted 
action of, and in the capillary blood vessels of a part; attended with red- 
ness, throbbing, swelling, paiu, heat, and disorder of functions, with 
change in both its fluids and constituents, and with more or less general 
disturbance of the system. 

The extent to which structures in a state of inflammation will swell, 
varies considerably, depending on the vital and physical characters of the 
tissues involved. Muscular tissue becomes very much swollen, while 
horny, cartilaginous tissues swell but little, in consequence of their low 
state of vitality. It must be remembered that it requires an assemblage 
of the above conditions to constitute inflammation. Swelling, pain, heat, 
or redness alone, do not constitute tliat condition, as either may occur, 
from causes independent of any inflammatory action whatever. 

The usual terminations of inflammation are, — resolution, mortification, 
supporation. ulceration, hemorrhage, effusion, hepatization, and ossifica- 
tion. By — 

Resolution is meant, the state of the tissues after their recovery from 
the effects of inflammation. 

Mortification is loss of vitality or death of the tissues involved. 

Supporation. — A collection of purulent matter, which receives the 
name of abcess. 

Ulceration. — A purulent solution or continuity of the soft parts aris- 
ing from loss of substance. 

HEMOTtRHAGE occurs as a direct or indirect consequence of inflamma- 
tion, from ulceration penetrating through the coats of an artery. 

Effusion.- An exudation of serum, watery accumulations, as in dropsy. 

Hepatization. — Conversion of a texture into a substance like liver. 

Ossification. — Formation of bone -- change of soft structures into 
bony ones. 

I now feel prepared to proceed with my remarks upon the various dis" 
eases with which the horse is afflicted, with a better understanding re- 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. 15 

garding the interest of onr readers, than I would have done had I passed 
this subject by unnoticed. 

DISEASES OF THE EYE. 

Amaurosis, or Glass eye, as it is commonly called. In this disease the 
eyes have a peculiar glassy appearance, mth an enlarged or expanded pu- 
pil. The cause is paralysis of the optic nerve, the best means of detect- 
ing which, is to expose the eye to diflferent degrees of light, which when 
disease exists, makes no impression whatever, while in a sound eye the 
pupil contracts when exposed to a strong light. 

Treatment. — Give a strong purge; follow this twice a day with half- 
dram doses of nux vomica, mixed in the feed; apply the liquid blister 
back of the eye, and give bran mashes until the sight is restored. 

Inflammation op the Haw; Also known as the hooks. This is a 
swelling from inflammation of the membrane in the inner corner of the 
eye; its office or function is to cleanse the eye of dirt or other substances 
getting into it. 

Treatment. — This is simple and effective. Open the vein under the 
eye and let it bleed until it stops itself. Give the following ball; Calo- 
mel 1 dr., Barbadoes aloes 4 drs., linseed meal 2 drs., molasses enough 
to make into a ball; and use the foilowiug wash; two grs. chloride of 
zinc, and two ozs. pure soft water. Use the wash twice a day, morning 
and evening, in the following manner; first put a little into the eye and 
wait about ten minutes and put in a little more; this gives the full efl^ect 
of the medicine. 

This wash is good for diseases of the human eye, to be used in the same 
manner as for the horse. I have tried it myself when my eyes were so 
much inflamed that I could scarcely see at all. 

Simple Opthalmia. — This disease arises from some external injury, 
or from a foreign body getting into the eye, causing inflammation to en- 
sue; the eye becomes swollen, very sensitive and watery. 

Treatment. — Use the above wash as there directed. Should a film 
cover the ball of the eye, remove it with the following powder : Take an 
%^g and break the end of it, and pour out the most of the white ; then 
break up the yolk and stir in with it enough pure salt to make a stift" 
mass. Then set the ^^^'g on the hot coals in the tire, and let it remain un- 
til it is perfectly charred. It is then to be removed from the fire and re- 
duced to a perfectly fine powder and kept in a well stopped bottle. It 
is as near to a universal remedy for the eye as can be found. A portion 
of the powder is to be put in a quill and blown into the eye, once a day 
until cured. 

Specific Opthalmia. — This is called by horsemen moon blindness. 



i6 HORSE-OVl^NERS' MANUAL, 



from its periodical appearance ; supposed by some to be sjoverned by the 
Moon. The eyes in this disease become watery, and a white film covers 
the entire ball of the eye. 

When this disease once makes its appearance,we may look for its term- 
ination in blindness. The eyes may ])e cleared up with the eye powder; 
then exchange the animal with some horse jockey for one with sound 
eyes The eyes always appear smaller after this disease ; by knowing 
which you can avoid getting duped yourself. 

Cataract. — This disease is usually the result or termination of Spe- 
cific Ophthalmia; causing an opacity or breaking up of the crystalline 
lens, situated directly behind the pupil, presenting a white and cloudy 
appearance. Little can be done, by way of treatment, for this disease as 
it occurs in the horse. 

DISEASES OF THE MOUTH. 

Lampass. — All young animals, during the period of dentition, have a 
fullness or swelling of the gums and l)ars, or roof of the mouth. In 
many colts it occasions but little or no inconvenience, while in others the 
pain is so great as to interfere with their feeding. 

When this condition exists, do not resort to the barbarous practice of 
burning with a red-hot iron, but act humanely. Lance the bars with a 
sharp pocket knife if you have nothing better, so as to draw about a gill 
of blood; and then take about an ounce of powdered alum, if you have 
it, and a handful of salt, and scour the parts thoroughly with it, and in a 
few days the animal will feed as usual. While working with tlie mouth, 
a round stick should be put across, within the mouth, to prevent the 
horse from shutting it on the hand. 

Bags or Washers. — These are soft, puffy swellings or blisters of 
greater or less size, aj^pearing along the under surface of the tongue, and 
occasionally on the cheeks. The disease can not be mistaken if the 
mouth be examined. If inconvenient to the animal, cut off a portion of 
the swollen parts with a sharp knife ; after which ajjply a wash composed 
of equal parts of tincture of myrrh and water to the wound, two or three 
times a day. 

Sore Mouth. — This occurs from the bit bruising the parts in rein- 
ing, and is situated usually at the angles of the mouth. Equal parts of 
tincture of myrrh, tincture of aloes and water, is the best application we 
can make. 

Slavering. — From certain causes the glands of the horse's mouth, 
become excited to secrete a great quantity of saliva: Pimples on the in- 
side of the mouth and on the tongue, known by the name of Thrush, 
cause slavering and difficult mastication. This may be remedied by tak- 
ing half an ounce of chlorate of potiish, to half a pint of water; to be 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. /y 



applied three times a clay with a soft swab. The principal causes of 
slavering are, the eating of white clover, the sharp edge or snag of a 
tooth, or a rough bit, with a rough rider or driver, may cause soreness or 
irritation of the mouth, and slavering. If it is clover or clover hay, stop 
its use; if a broken tooth, take it out; if a sharp edge of a tooth, rasp or 
file it smooth; if a rough bit, change it. In any other case, see that the 
horse has good food, and look to it that he is not laboring under worms 
or indigestion. 

Wolf Teeth. — These are two small teeth which make their appear- 
ance immediately in front of the upper molar teeth, in all colts, at some 
period from the first to the fifth year. It is supposed by many people, 
that they exert an evil influence over the eyes of the horse. My exper- 
ience dees not prove this fact, yet I do not deny that their removal helps 
the inflamed eyes; the same result would follow the removal of one of 
the upper nipper teeth; the bleeding and irritation caused by pulling the 
tooth, would draw the inflammation from the eyes to that part, and of 
course help them. 

Sore Throat. — This is usually one of the first indications of Catarrh, 
and when confined to that portion of the throat at the angle of the jaws, 
it is termed Laryngitis. The symptoms of this disease are well marked ; 
the head is stiff, and if the throat is pressed upon, excites coughing; the 
animal manifests difficulty in swallowing, and frequently considerable 
saliva collects in the mouth. 

Treatment. — Apply strong mustard, made into paste with vinegar, to 
the throat, and rub it well in ; or, linseed oil two parts, with spirits of 
hartshorn one part, will answer a good purpose. Give upon the tongue 
half a tablespoonful of powdered ssltpetre, twice a day, with sloppy 
bran mashes and flax-seed tea, will usually cure the worst cases of this 
disease in a few days. 

Strangles. — This is a more severe form of Laryngitis, involving the 
glands of the throat, causing very great swelling, which often threatens 
suffocation; the breathing becomes laborious, and can be heard at a con- 
siderable distance. 

Treatment.— Commence the treatment by burning gum guiacum, a 
lump the size of a walnut, on a shovel of coals under the horse's nose, 
gives immediate relief from the hard breathing, and hastens the cure; 
at the same time take flax-seed meal one pint, pour boiling water upon 
it sufficient to make a thick batter ; now spread the batter on an eight- 
tailed bandage, which is made by taking a piece of cloth of sufficient 
length to go around the horse's neck, and cutting three slits in each end ; 
put this on, letting the poultice cover the swollen parts, the glands, tying 
some of the tails in front on the brow; this keeps it in place. Put the 



1 8 HORSE OWNERS' MANUAL, 

poultice on warm, and change as often as it becomes dry. As soon as 
the swelling under the jaw becomes soft, it should be lanced. Feed 
warm bran mash, and keep the animal warm and dry. 

Influenza. — Spring and fall are the seasons most productive of epi- 
zootic (epidemic) catarrli. One year it assumes a mild form, the next 
perhaps a most malignant one. 

Symptoms. — These vary very considerably in different animals. The 
usual leading symptoms are, slight watery or thin mucous discharges 
from the nose, the eyelids presenting a redish or orange-red appearance; 
matter collects in the corners of the eyes, pulse feeble, great debility, 
as shown by the quick, feeble action of the heart — a symptom rarely ab- 
sent — membrune of nose much reddened, sore throat and cough; occa- 
sionally the feet become fevered, as in founder, causing much stiffness, 
which may be easily mistaken for that disease. 

Treatment. — This being a typhoid disease, requires a sustaining treat- 
ment, or our success will be very doubtful. In the early stages of the 
disease, give, the first two days, ten drops of tincture of aconite in a 
little water, every six hours, after which give, in a pail of water to drink, 
once a day, one ounce of spirits of nitre, and give in the feed, three 
times a day, one of the following powders : gentian root, saltpetre and 
anise seed, of each one oz.; sulphate of quinine, one drachm; mix and 
divide into eight powders. The throat should be bathed in mustard 
and vinegar, or with linseed oil 3 oz., sjDirits of hartshorn 1 oz., mixed 
together. No hay or corn should be given, but scalded oats and wheat 
bran, with linseed tea or oatmeal gruel, should constitute the diet; and 
above all, good nursing is very desirable. 

Nasal Gleet. — This is a chronic discharge from one or both nostrils, 
of a whitish muco-purulent matter, the result usually of neglected ca- 
tarrh. The general health of the animal does not seem tosufter; he looks 
well, feeds well and works well, yet we have this discharge, which is 
caused by weakness in the secretory vessels of the lining membrane of 
the nose. The successful treatment in all cases where this disorder has 
existed, has been on the tonic principle ; bleeding and purging are posi- 
tively injurious. Give one of the following powders, night and morn- 
ing: Sesquin-chloride of iron, 2 oz., powdered cinnamon, 1 oz., mix and 
divide into 4 powders ; give one powder every morning until gone. At 
the same time, take sugar of lead \ oz., sulphate of zinc \ oz., blue vitriol 
\ oz., rain water 1 gallon; dissolve the articles in the water; and inject 
enough of this to pass entirely up the nostrils, once a day. A patent 
syringe that does not have to be removed to fill is best. Continue the 
use of this as long as the discharge continues, or until the cure is eflect- 
ed. Keep his head raised above a level when using it. 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR, ig 

Pneumonia. — This disease is known to horsemen as lung fever. It is 
either inflammatory or congestive, arrising from various causes, as high 
feeding, badly ventilated stables, violent exercise, or sudden changes 
from heat to cold. In the congestive stage there is no pulse to be found, 
and on applying the ear to the side, no sound is heard ; cold sweats be- 
dew the boby, the respiration is labored ; eyes wild in their expression; 
legs cold ; the animal appears dull and stupid, and with difficulty made 
to move; he does not lie down. In those cases put two heavy blankets 
upon the animal and secure them with a girth. As soon as it can be ob- 
tained give the following : Tartar emetic, 1 drachm, sweet spirits of niter, 
1 oz., warm water, 1 pt., mix and give as a drench, all at once. Blister 
the sides of the chest and breast a large surface, with aqua ammonia. 
While waiting for the action of the blister, the cold legs should be rub- 
bed with alcohol, one pint, and powdered cayenne pepper, 1 oz., mixed. 
This should be frequently used as long as the legs are cold. If the blis- 
ter is good and well applied it should act in from twenty to thirty min- 
utes. If it does not act there is but little prospect of a cure. Should the 
pulse become quick, and the mouth hot, with a crepilating or crackling 
sound be heard on applying the ear to the side, give ten drops of the 
tincture of aconite, in a little water, to be given every six hours until 
relief is obtained. Enemas of soap and warm water, should be injected 
into the rectum, but in no case should physic be given. It is of the 
greatest importance to be able to distinguish one disease from another. 
Lung fever may be mistaken by some persons, for founder. A medicine 
that would be good in founder, would be almost certain to prove fatal to 
the lung fever patient. Nature never makes a mistake in giving the 
right symptons, if we do in giving medicine. Notice well the symptoms 
as directed and given, in each disease, before giving medicine. 

Pleurisy. — This is an inflammation of the lining membrane of the 
chest, and covering of the lungs. The symptoms are : uneasiness, paw- 
ing, looking at the sides, pulse quick, pain on pressure over the ribs, 
body hot, lying down but rising quickly. The same treatment as in in- 
flammation of the lungs, (as pneumonia is often called) is right. See that 
you do not treat for bots, or colic, as the symptoms might be called these 
by some knowing one. These cases are very apt to terminate in Hydroth- 
orax, or Dropsy of the Chest, Symptoms — Breathing short and quick, 
legs straddling, pulse small and quick, breast, belly and sheath swell, the 
animal stands night and day, which should he continue to do for a num- 
ber of days, you may be sure the case will prove fatal. The treatment 
of this disease as a general thing, is not very satisfactory. The Iodide of 
Potassa in half drachm doses, three times a day, has proved the most use- 
ful medicine, in connection with seatons in the breast. 



20 HORSE-OVl/NERS' MANUAL, 

Broken Wind, or Heaves. — This disease is well known to horse- 
men; so we will content ourselves merely by giving the most successful 
remedies, which for the most part are only palliative : Divide half an 
ounce of pulverized Digitalis in twenty parts and give one part night and 
morning in the feed, until gone ; this will usually allay all signs of the 
disease in two weeks. Proper care in feeding and watering the animals, 
will do as much good as any thing. Never give a large feed of bulky 
food; never give more than one pail of water at a time; always wet the 
hay with salt water if the least dusty ; don't drive too fast after feeding 
or watering, as this is the cause, of more than half of all the cases of this 
disease. 

Inflammation of the Bowels. — This disease may appear suddenly, 
or it may be slowly coming on. The symptoms resemble those of colic, 
for which disease it is often mistaken. The pulse is our certain guide in 
determining the character of the disease ; when that is full and natural, 
or nearly so, there is no inflammation ; if full, strong and quick, and often 
scarcely perceptible for a number of beats, there is inflammation; other 
symptoms corresponding, there is no difiiculty in determining the case. 
In Colic the symptoms of pain are intermittent; in Inflammation of the 
Bowels there are no intermissions ; the belly is very tender, will hardly 
bear to be touched; legs and ears cold. Other symptoms which are pres- 
ent in both diseases, are pawing, rolling and tumbling about, looking at 
his sides, etc. 

Treatment. — Bleed from six to eight quarts, or until the pulse be- 
comes natural, and give ten drops tincture of aconite in warm water 
every three hours until relieved; apply a blanket saturated with hot 
water to the entire body, and a dry one outside ; keep it up for two hours, 
then remove the wet ones and replace them with dry ones, well 
secured with a girth around the loins, and one around the middle. Im- 
mediately after bleeding, inject the following enema into the rectum, for 
the purpose of opening the bowels : Warm water, one gallon, with half 
an ounce of aloes disolved in it and a pint of linseed oil mixed in. After 
the injection has been given, if the bowels do not act properly administer 
the following drench ; Warm water 1 quart, powdered aloes 2 drams, 
linseed oil 1 pint, mix. This will not irritate the bowels. In extreme 
cases it may be necessary to give 20 drops of croton oil in place of the 
aloes. If the case is caused by over physicing, and the purging is vio- 
lent, give the horse plenty of wheat flour gruel well boiled, and salted 
enough to take off the peculiar taste ; add to each quart two ounces of 
powdered charcoal; give this amouiit at a time as a drench. By this 
means the bowels are soothed, and the remains of any thing that was irri- 
tating them may be carried off. After ten or twelve honrs, if the purg- 
ing has not stopped, treat it as recommended for diarrhea. 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. at 

Diarrhea. — The cause of this disease is exposure to the cold, over 
exertion, change of water, overdoses of cathartic medicine, etc. 

Treatment. — Give one of the following powders in the flour gruel 
mentioned above, every six hours until the bowels are checked : Pow- 
dered opium 1 drachm, powdered catechu 2 drachms, prepared chalk and 
charcoal, of each 1 ounce, mix and divide into four doses, each to be given 
in a quart of the gruel. 

Colic. — This disease, known as the gripes, cramp and fret, is either 
spasmodic or flatulent. Spasmodic colic is spasmodic contraction of the 
muscular coats of the intestines, causing griping pains, etc. (See in- 
flammation of the Bowels.) Flatulent colic is an accumulation of gas 
in the stomach and intestines, generated by fermentation in the stomach, 
causing the abdomen to become distended or swollen, and if the walls of 
the same be struck with the point of the fingers, a windy sound is elic- 
ited, and it will be noticed that gas escapes from the anus ; and when 
rolling the animal tries to keep on his back. 

Treatment. — For spasmodic colic give 1 ounce tincture opium, I 
ounce sulphuric ether, 1 ounce tincture capsicum, y^ ounce tinctui-e 
camphor, in half a pint of warm water, to be given as a drench, to be re- 
peated in half an hour, if relief is not obtained In flatulent colic, give 
chlorate of potash 3^ oz., sulphuric ether y^ oz., tincture of aloes 3 oz., 
warm water one pint; mix and drench. If the symptoms continue, re- 
peat the dose thirty minutes after the first, and inject into the rectum an 
enema composed of warm soap-suds one gallon, with a handful of salt 
thrown in. JSTever drench the animal with milk and molasses, because 
some wiseacre thinks it's "bots," and recommends this as a cure. 

Worms. — Thousands of animals die annually from the ravages of these 
pests, without the true cause being suspected; especially is this the case 
in the young of the mare, cow, sheep, and pig. Each variety of worms 
has its characteristic symptoms, viz. : In bots, we rarely have loss of 
condition, but when the bots become troublesome, colicky pains, quick- 
ened respiration, with a strong tendency to inflammation of the bowels, 
will be observed. Bots are rarely troublesome, except when passing 
away in their regular manner, which occurs from May to August in each 
year. In most other varieties of worms the symptoms are debility, slug- 
gish movements, staring coat, and a peculiar pallid appearance of the 
lining of the lips, agitation of the heart and tail, and where the funda- 
ment worms exist, a yellowish white substance will be found about the 
fundament, indicated also by rubbing the tail. The treatment for worms 
has been attended with much uncertainty heretofore, and is to the pres- 
ent day, with practitioners generally. Some six years ago the writer dis- 
covered a remedy but little known to the medical profession, which has 



22 HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 

a specific on all classes of worms ; he has never known it to fail in speed- 
ily giving relief: Take powdered white Indian hemp root 1 oz., podo- 
phyllin 1 oz., pink root 1 oz., bitter root 1 oz., balmony 2 oz., aloes 3^ 
oz., all to be powder ; mix thoroughly together, and give one table- 
spoonful of the powder every twelve hours, in half a teacupful of mo- 
lasses and a pint of warm water, as a drench, until it physics. In five or 
six days give it again the same way. The pin-worms, which sometimes 
inhabit the rectum, or last gut, may be brought away by an injection of 
strong salt water. 

Retention of Urine. — This is known by frequent but unsuccessful 
efforts to stale. In some animals it arises from a dislike to splatter their 
legs in voiding the water; hence the horse will frequently retain in the 
bladder until the litter is shook up under him, when he will at once re- 
lieve himself. When the result of inflammation of the kidneys or blad- 
der, the following train of symptoms will present themselves : consider- 
able fever, great anxiety of the countenance, constant straining efforts to 
pass water, but very little being passed, and that dribbling away. The 
horse straddles when he moves about, as if fearing to bring his thighs 
together. The means of distinguishing inflammation of the bladder 
from inflammation of the kidneys, are: In inflammation of the kidneys 
there will be tenderness on pressure, but not in inflammation of the 

bladder. 

Treatment. — As soon as possible, give : linseed oil 1 pint, balsam co- 
paiba 1 oz , sweet spirits of nitre 2 oz.; mix and shake well, and give at 
one dose, repeating every four hours until it operates as physic. Inject 
a little salt water up the urinary passage, for the purpose of cooling the 
parts, and creating a desire to. pass water; or it may be necessary to use 
the catheter, made expressly for the purpose ; this is passed up the urin- 
ary passage to the bladder, when the water will flow freely, and give in- 
stant relief. 

Quitter. — This is a formation of pus between the hoof and the soft 

structure within; a sore at the coronet or upper part of the hoof, which 
at first is a hard, smooth tumor, soon becoming soft, and breaks, dis- 
charging quantities of pus. 

Treatment. — Poultice the foot for several days with flax-seed meal ; 
after discontinuing the poultice, inject with a syringe either of the fol- 
lowing once a day : Chloride of zinc 2 drs., dissolved in one pint of soft 
water; or, sulphate of zinc 1 dr., sugar of lead Y^ dr., 1 pint of water; 
or, nitrate of silver 2 drs., in a pint of water. Before using the wash, 
have the foot well cleaned with castile soap and water. 

Thrush. — This is a disease of the frog, causing a discharge of matter 
from its cleft or division, occasionally causing lameness. 

The treatment is simple and effective : Wash the diseased parts well 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR, 23 

with castile soap and soft water, and sprinkle a small quantity of pul- 
verized sulphate of copper in the cleft, and secure it by pressing a little 
raw cotton down upon it in such a manner as to keep out the dirt. In 
two or three days repeat, if necessary. It rarely requires a second dress- 
ing. 

Canker. — This is a more aggravated form of thrush, often proving 

very troublesome to manage. It is a morbid or diseased condition of the 

sensitive sole, or of it and the sensitive frog, causing the separation of 

the horny sole, and a growth of fungus flesh to sprout up and occupy its 

place. 

Treatment. — First remove all dead or loose portions of horn, and the 

masses of fungus or proud flesh, which may be shaved ofi" with a sharp 

knife, being careful not to wound the sensitive sole. The fungus is then 

to be touched with a stick of nitrate of silver, once a day, until the parts 

look white and healthy and no red sproutings of proud flesh remain. 

The foot must be protected from cold and dirt, by a bandage spread with 

balsam of fir, and a canvass bag or boot, made to slip over the foot, and 

tied around the j)astern. While undergoing treatment, the horse must 

be kept where his feel will be dry, and have daily exercise. 

Scratches, or Grease. — There are few diseases for which there are 
more cures among horsemen than for this. The following treatment I 
have found the most satisfactory, and the least troublesome of any other : 
Take Glycerine 2 oz., carbolic acid 1 drachm. Mix and shake well, and 
apply with a soft swab once a day; Immediately after washing the parts 
with castile soap and warm soft water, the medicine is put on. 

Where the legs are much swollen and inflamed and especially if there 
are sproutings of proud flesh, which may be known by the extreme red- 
ness of the parts, make a poultice of ground flax-seed with lime-water 
and before applying it, sprinkle it over with powdered burnt alum. Re- 
new the poultice twice a day, until the sores look white, then use the 
above liquid. The same treatment is proper for cracked heels. In all 
of these cases, use the alterative powder, which see. 

Founder. — This disease occurs generally in the horse with hard, brit- 
tle or contracted hoofs, in consequence of their inability to yield to the 
weight of the animal. In this condition they wait for the exciting or 
immediate cause to develop the disease. These causes are a hard drive 
upon a hard road, watering when warm, with very cold water, standing 
in a draught of air, etc. Symptoms : fore feet thrown forward resting 
upon the heels, weight of the body thrown back upon the hind leo-s, front 
feet hot and tender, pulse full and quick; the animal in very severe cases 
seeks relief by lying down. Treatment: If the animal is in full condi- 
tion, bleed freely from the feet, and give the follovnng : Barbadoes aloes, 
6 drachms, croton oil, 6 drops, pulverized gentian, 2 drachms. Mix with 



^4 HORSE-OH^NERS' MANUAL, 



water in form of a ball; foment the feet well with hot water, and then 
poultice with flax-seed meal for several days ; give in the water to drink 
every six hours extract of belladonna, 1 drachm. Under this treatment 
the worst cases usually recover in one week's time if taken in hand 
early. 

PoMTCED Feet.— This disease is known to horsemen as falling of the 
sole, and is the result of neglected founder. Careful shoeing, so as to 
protect the sole, is all that can be done in this disease. 

Navicular, Joint Lameness. — Coffin Joint Lameness, as it is com- 
monly called, is one of very common occurrence, and the symptoms so 
obscure as not to be noticed, or insufficient in the early stage, to diagnose 
the disease. Symptoms. — Acute lameness discoverable in the foot; the 
foot is pointed forward when tlie animal is at rest, and when traveling he 
picks up the foot nicely, but drops it tenderly, striking the toe first; the 
shoe therefore is worn considerably at the toe and very little at the heels. 
In this disease the foot always appears smaller, "pinched in" or con- 
tracted at the heels. 

Tkeatment. — With a view of changing the morbid condition of the foot, 
and starting a new growth of horn, apply the following blister: sweet oil 
1 pt., pulverized cantharides y^ oz., pulverized gum euphorbium 1 oz., 
spirits of turpentine 3 oz., oil of diganum 2 oz. ; mix and shake well, and it 
is fit for use. Apply it on the coronary ring in the hairs iust above the 
horn, on the front part of the foot, and as far back as the quarters; it is 
applied every sixth day. At the same time use the Hoof Liquid, to soften 
the horn and remove any fever or dryness of the foot : Take glycerine y^ 
pt., oil of tar 4 oz., oil of origanum 4 oz., mix, apply it all around the 
top of the hoof down one inch, every alternate evening. Have the horse 
shod with narrow thick shoes; remove all pressure from the heels, by 
leaving a sixteenth of an inch space between the shoe and foot, from the 
quarters backward; do not allow the shoe to be set back half or three 
quarters of an inch from the toe, and the projecting parts cut away as is 
often done, do not allow the smith to cut away the heels or frog, nor ap- 
ply a hot shoe to the foot; do not allow the foot to be spread at the heels 
by the use of tongs; let nature do her own spreading, w-hich she will do, 
if the directions above given are followed, to assist her. 

Ossification of the lateral cartilages. — These Cartilages are two 
gristly projections or wings, attached to the coffin bone at the heels, and 
may readily be felt above the hoof. From contraction, corns, etc., these 
elastic bodies often become changed from gristle to bone in consequence 
of inflammation, leaving the horse with thick heels, and a short tender 
tread in traveling. The same treatment as for navicular joint lameness 
is right. 

Sweeny and Shodlder Strain. — The first name applies to an aflFection 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. 25 

of the muscles of the outer side of the shoulder. The last to a strain 
of the great saw muscle, which is the principal muscle in bearing the 
weight of the body, and connecting the forearm with the body. Both 
affections may be present at the same time, in which case the animal will 
be very lame dragging the toe on the ground as he steps, and the muscles 
of the shoulder will be atrophied or wasting away. 

Treatment. — If the case is very bad, bleed about six quarts from the 
large plate vein in the fore arm, and insert a rowel in the shoulder ; com- 
mencing at the upper margin of the shrunken parts, make a pocket about 
ten inches deep, pass a slice of raw potato to the bottom of the pocket. 
A ring of leather with a small string tied to it, is to be dipped in venice 
turpentine, and placed just within the mouth of the opening; this will 
allow the pus to escape. As soon as it gets to running nicely, the ring 
of leather should be pulled out; put your hand near the bottom of the 
rowel and gently move it upward, pressing the bulk of the matter out; 
after which wash the leather and smear it with the turpentine, and place 
it in the opening again. The parts where the hot fluid and matter run 
must be washed every day, and then smeared with linseed oil to keep the 
hair from being scalded ofl". In about two weeks the slice of potato will 
be all rotted away. The leather is then to be pulled out, and the matter 
thoroughly pressed out, and the parts washed with soap and warm water 
as before, and well smeared with the oil. In a few days with this case, 
the rowel will heal and the lameness disappear. A case of common 
Sweeney not complicated with strain of the saw muscle, may be cured by 
the application of the blister recommended in Navicular Joint Lameness. 
To be applied to the shrunken parts, and well rubbed in. To be applied 
once in six days; two or three applications will cure it. 

Capped Hock. — This is a bruise of the cap or point of the hock joint 
forming a serious abcess. 

Treatment. — Apply the following ointment for the purpose of soften- 
ing the parts; take lard 1 lb., pulverized cantharides, y^ oz., pulverized 
euphorbium, 1 oz., spirits of turpentine, 3 oz. Mix and apply. In two 
days after apply tincture of iodine or iodine ointment ; and in four days 
after this, apply the first prescription again, and so on until cured. 
Capped elbow requires the same treatment, if not lanced; but if lanced, 
which it should be, if soft and appears to contain any fluid; then only 
the iodine is used once a day on the outside, with a little green ointment 

in the incision. 

Bone Spavin. — This one of the most common causes of lameness in 

the hind legs. Spavin arises from strains, sprains or blows upon the 
hock-joint, causing an inflammatory condition of the cartilaginous cush- 
ions which cover the uniting surfaces of each bone or of the ligaments 
that surround the joint, and bind the bones together; sometimes both are 



^6 HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 

involved. This inflamed condition of the joint may be considered the 
exciting cause of spavin, and if not speedily removed, spavin soon fol- 
lows ; the synovial fluid commonly called joint oil is soon absorbed, the 
cartilages of the joint are turned to bone, which unite one with the other 
forming one solid mass, destroying the mobility of the parts involved, 
and constituting what is technically called anchylosis of the hock- 
joint. 

Treatment. — In the early stages, that is before any alteration of struc- 
ture takes place, the application of iodine to the parts will often abate 
the inflammation, and prevent external enlargement. When there is ex- 
ternal enlargement, active blisters should be applied over the part, not 
for the purpose of removing the enlargement, but with a view of remov- 
ing the lameness, by increasing the inflammation, thereby causing a more 
speedy union of the diseased bones, which when perfect causes the 
animal to travel sound. Blister pulverized cantharides % ^z., pulver- 
ized gum euphorbium, 1 oz., spirits of turpentine, 2 oz., lard, % lb., mix. 
Shave off the hair over the enlargement, and apply the ointment once in 
four days rubbing in well with the naked hand. 

RiNG-BoNE. — This is a disease precisely like spavin, location only giv- 
ing it a different name. The same alterations in structure take place, 
the same terminations follow, and the same treatment is called for. 

Curb. — This is an enlargement at the back part of the hock, about 
four inches below the cap, arising from strains, bruises, etc. 

Treatment. — In recent cases the part should be bathed with tincture 
of iodine once a day, or use the iodine ointment. Should this not suc- 
ceed, blisters must be resorted to ; the same applications as are used for 
spavin and ring-bone, are applicable here. 

Blood or Bog -Spavin.— This is but one disease, a bursal enlargement 
or an increase in the secretion of the joint oil, causing distention of the 
capular ligament which surrounds the joint, causing puffy swellings on 
the front and inside of the joint, rarely causing lameness. Thoroughpin 
is the same disease on a more extensive scale, causing the enlargement to 
extend through the joint from one side to the other. 

Treatment. — Take white oak bark, 1 pailful after the outside or rough 
bark is rotted oft, add 5 quarts water, boil down to one quart, to this ooze 
add 1 quart cider vinegar, and twenty-five cents worth of tannin. Bathe 
the affected parts two or three times a day with this ooze. The object to 
be accomplished in this disease, is to contract the skin over the enlarge- 
ment; this causes the synovial fluid to scatter and be absorbed, leaving 
the parts smooth. The same treatment is proper for wind galls. 

Palpitation of the Heart.— This disease is known to horsemen as 
the thumps, in consequence of the violent action of the heart. The 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. 27 



worst cases yield in two hours to the following simple treatment : divide 

1 drachm of disjitalis into 5 powders, and give one every fifteen minutes 

on the tongue. 

Inflammation op the Brain. — Mad staggers, as this disease is called 

arises from various causes. Blows over the head will produce it, over 

feeding, a tight collar, powerful stimulants, etc. Symptoms : The animal 

at first is dull and moves with apparent reluctance, the pulse is full and 

quick, appetite lost, a vacant stare about the eyes, ending in delirium or 

madness. 

Treatment. — Open the jugular vein as quick as possible; this must 

be done before the mad stage comes on or it is too late to be of much 

service. Open the bowels freely; give the following: Barbadoes aloves 

1 oz., croton oil 10 drops, ginger 1 dr., gentian 1 dr., mix with molasses 

or honey. Give tabacco smoke injections if convenient, or soap and 

warm water will answer the purpose ; give on the tongue every two hours 

10 drops of tincture of aconite, six doses have been given and then stop 

the aconite; give cold water to drink and apply cold water to the head, 

or ice would be better ; give no food, except a light mash for twelve hours 

after relief is obtained. 

Stomach Staggers. — This disease occurs in horses that are great feeders ; 
in consequence the stomach becomes enormously distended, causing pres- 
sure upon the lungs and heart, interfering with the action of both, and 
causing a determination of blood to the head, producing stupor, with a 
tendency to pitch forward, resting the head against any object which may 
be in reach; the bowels are constipated, the pulse full and slow, respira- 
tion disturbed, sometimes snoring as he breathes. The same treatment 
as for mad staggers is proper in this disease. Care should be used after 
recovery not to allow the animal too much provender, and keep the bow- 
els in good condition, as a preventive of subsequent attacks. 

Poll-Evil. — This disease is said to arise from blows upon the head 
behind the ears, in going in or out of stables with low doors, pulling 
upon the halter, etc. Such injuries in animals whose blood is in a bad 
condition will cause poll-evil, but it cannot live in a healthy system. 
The author's experience convinces him that the disease oftener arises 
from hereditary causes than from any other, having met with, on several 
occasions, two and three unbroken colts from the same mare affected 
with this disease, proving beyond a doubt the ready transmission of the 
disease from parent to offspring. 

Treatment. — The blood must be thoroughly purified before a cure 
can be effected. Give the following powders: Pulverized sulphur 1 Ib^ 
black antimony in powder 4 oz.; mix together; dose, one tablespoonful 
morning and night, in bran and shorts; or use my Alterative Powders. 
No corn or cornmeal should be given. Green cornstalks are a good 



28 HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 

thing to feed if the season permits; throw them on the ground; this 
keeps the matter running out, and the neck from getting stiff. 
Lay the tumor open with a knife, and push a small lump of unslacked 
lime to the bottom of the tumor; the next day wash the sore with castile 
soap and soft water, after which inject a drachm of creosote into the ab- 
cess; repeat once in two days, until all the callous pipes and hard fibrous 
base around the poll-evil is completely destroyed; heal the sore with the 
green magnetic ointment. 

Fistula of the Withers. — This disease is situated on the withers, or 
the raised line of the back, over the shoulders, and is precisely the same 
disease as poll evil, location only giving it a different name. It is more 
common than poll-evil, as ten to one, arising from the same causes, and 
requiring the same treatment; it yields, however, more readily than the 
former disease. 

Glanders. — This loathsome disease has defied medical treatment in 
all ages of the world. It is one of the most treacherous diseases known 
to man, being highly contagious, and communicated readily from horse 
to horse, and from horse to man by means of inoculation. Hence the 
best treatment is a leaden ball through the brain. Symptoms: A dis- 
charge of matter from one or both nostrils, enlargement of one or both 
glands under the jaws; when one nostril only is affected, the gland on 
the same side is almost invariably enlarged, the membrane lining the 
nose is pale or leaden in color, with ulcerations upon it. The discharge 
usually sticks to the nostrils like glue, and as the disease advances be- 
comes somewhat streaked with blood of a frothy, dirty appearance, and 
of an offensive smell ; when these latter symptoms appear, the case is 
glanders, sure — beware of him. During the late rebellion many experi- 
ments were made with a view of discovering a cure for the disease, and 
with some prospects of success. The sulphate of soda, in ounce doses, 
three times a day, has been attended with partial success, and many 
cures are claimed through the agency of this simple remedy. 

Farcy. — This disease I regard as an incipient stage of glanders, or as 
a type of the same fatal malady, and is to a certain extent, curable. 
There are two distinct varieties or stages of farcy ; one, which is alto- 
gether superficial, being confined to the lymphatic vessels of the skin, 
and readily yields to the medical treatment; the other varieties makes 
its appearance in the extremities, generally upon the inside of the hind 
legs, which become completely engorged, presenting a very uneven or 
lumpy appearance, excessively tender and painful to the touch. Small 
abcesses are formed, which at first discharge healthy pus, but soon 
ulcerate and discharge a thin savious matter. These abcesses first make 
their appearance on the inside of the hind legs, and then on the fore ones 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. ^9 

iu like manner; the neck and lips come next in turn, and they may 
appear in all parts of the body, when glanders will begin to manifest 
itself. 

Treatment. — Give once ounce of sulphate of soda three times a day; 
or nux vomica, in 3^-dr. doses, twice a day ; or sulphate of copper, in 
2 -dr. doses, once a day. The tumors should be opened and caustic 
silver or a red-hot iron applied to each. 

Mange. — This is a disease of the skin identical with itch in the human 
family. The hair conies off in spots, which gradually blend together, 
causing scabby patches ; the skin thickens and puckers along the neck. 

Treatment.— Take the horse in the sun, and scrub him thoroughly all 
over with castile soap and water, and wipe dry ; then apply the following 
ointment to the affected parts: unsalted butter, 1 lb.; Burgundy pitch, 
2 oz.; spirits of turpentine, 2 oz.; red precipitate jDulverized, 1 oz.; melt 
the pitch and add the butter, stirring well, then remove from the fire, 
and when a little cool add the spirits of turpentine, and lastly the pre- 
cipitate, and stir until cold. He must now be put in another stall, distant 
from the one in which he has been standing. Thus treated, it rarely 
requires more than one application to effect a permanent cure. The 
harness should be scrubbed and put away for a few weeks. These pre- 
cautions are necessary to succeed in this otherwise troublesome disease. 

Surfeit. — This is a scurfy eruption all over the body, arising from an 
impure condition of the blood; the legs swell, the hair is rough and 
staring, the membrane lining in the nose presents a bluish cast. Give 
the foilovAiug: Barbadoes aloes, 1 oz.; nitrate of potassa, 2 dr.; gentian, 
1 dr.; make into a ball with water. Follow this with the alterative pow- 
der (which see). * 

HiDEjJOUND. — Any derangement of the system has a tendency to pro- 
duce this condition of the skin. The same alterative treatment as for 
surfeit is right; at the same time use the flax-seed jelly. 

Lockjaw. — This disease arises generally from nail-wounds in the feet, 
sharp metallic substances taken into and wounding the stomach, or 
stones in the intestines. The first symptoms of the disease are observed 
about the ninth or tenth day, if caused by an injury, which are a strag- 
gling or stifl'ness of the hind legs, to which succeed, in a few days, the 
following : On elevating the head, a spasmodic motion of the membrane 
in the inner corner of the eye will be observed; the muscles of the jaws 
become rigid, the tongue is swollen and the mouth filled with saliva, the 
ears are erect, the nose poked out, and finally the jaws become firmly set, 
and the bowels are constipated. 

Treatment. — That which I have found most successful is the early 
administration of the following: tincture of aconite, 2 dr.; tincture of 



so HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 

belladonna, 2 dr. ; water, y^ oz. ; mix and give 40 drops every four hours 
on the tongue ; keep a ball of aloes in the mouth ; there is no fear of 
giving too much; I have frequently given half a pound in the course of 
a fevir days with good results. If the jaws are so firmly set that medicine 
can not be given, they may be relaxed by saturating a cloth wath chloro- 
form and holding it close to his nose; foment the jaw^s with bags of hops 
steeped in hot water. 13athe the line of the back, from the poll to the 
crupper, with mustard and vinegar; be careful: not to allow the animal 
to be unnecessarily excited by noises and bustle about him; keep a bran 
mash before him all the time. If the foot has been injured, poultice 
with a little flax-seed meal, with a little lard mixed in, and keep the 
wound open until healthy action has been established. By these means 
I have succeeded in saving two out of every three cases of tetanus com- 
ing under my care. 

Rheumatism. — This is a common disease in some localities, as it is iu 
the human family. The animal appears stifl* and sore, the lameness 
shifting; the joints sometimes become sw^oUeu and painful to the touch; 
the animal appears better or worse according to the condition of the 
atmosphere. 

Treatment. — Open the bowels with the following: calomel, 1 dr.; 
aloes, 4 dr. ; molasses, enough to make into a ball ; follow this with pine 
tar, 3^ oz., made into a ball with flax seed meal — give one every morning. 
Poultice the feet with flax-seed meal 4 parts, ground mustard 1 part, for 
several days; and bathe the aflected limbs, rubbing (until hot) with the 
Rheumatic Liniment. 

Warts. — When the warts have necks, all that is necessary for their 
removal is a piece of silk tied in a surgeon's knot tightly around them as 
closely to the roots as jjossible — in a few days they will slough away; or, 
if they are large at their base, pass a needle, armed with a double thready 
through the wart as near the root as possible, and tie each way, so as to 
cut off the circulation of the blood — and it will soon die; or, a quicker 
way is to cut them out. Run the tentaclum or hook through the wart 
and draw out, and cut the roots as you draw. It it bleeds much, take 5 
grains nitrate of silver and 1 oz. of water, and wet a sponge and merely 
touch the parts with the w^ash and it will stop the blood. Treat it as any 
fresh wound; every time you wash it scratch the scab off so the scar will 
be small. 

Saddle or Collar Galls. — These are too well known to horsemen 
to require any special remarks regarding their cause, &c. 

Treatment. — Bathe the parts tw^o or three times a day with equal 
parts of tincture of myrrh and tincture of aloes; if the parts are red and 
inflamed, sjjrinkle a little dust of quick-lime upon them. 



AND VErERINAR\ COUNSELOR. 31 

Poultry Lousiness. — Great numbers of lice are sometimes found ujDon 
colts in the spring of the year; they are communicated to tliem by fowls 
being allowed to roost and remain in the same building with the colts. 

Treatment. — There are a great many drugs that will kill lice, and 
some of them are quite as ajDt to kill the horse. I have found the follow- 
ing to be the most safe and least troublesome of anything, and a sure 
cure, as it destroys the nits as well as the lice : Aqua ammonia 2 ozs., 
soft water 1 qt., saltpetre 1 teaspoonful, castile soap (scraped) 2 ozs.; mix 
all, shake well, and let it stand a few hours before using, which gives the 
soap) a chance to dissolve. Pour upon a sponge, or in your hand, and 
smear alono- the neck under the mane, and on the breast ; examine other 
parts, and smear if any nits or lice are found. It rarely requires more 
than one application. The same treatment will destroy lice on calves or 
other stock. 

How TO Cure Corns. — Take olf the shoe, cut out the corns, and drop 
in a few drops of muriatic acid. See that the shoe is set so that it will 
not bear upon the heel of the affected foot. Apply the Hoof Liquid to 
the hoof to remove the fever. This is a sure treatment. I never knew it 
to fail. 

Sand Crack. — Remove the shoe and ascertain carefully the extent of 
the injury. If the crack is superficial, till it with the following comjiosi- 
tion: Burgundy pitch 2 ozs, beeswax 1 oz., mutton tallow 1 oz. Melt 
together and apply warm. If the crack has extended to the sensitive 
parts, and you can see any fungus flesh, with a small knife remove the 
edges of the cracked horn that presses upon it. Touch the fungus with 
cau.stic silver; dip a roll of tow or lint in tar and bind it firmly over the 
place. The whole foot is to be kept in a bran poultice for a few days, 
or until the lameness is removed. A shoe may now be put on so as not 
to press on the diseased part. The pledget of tow may now be removed, 
the crack filled with the composition, and the animal turned into some 
soft pasture. 

Splint. — This appears on the inside of the fore-leg. Upon its first 
coming, apply the spavin medicine according to the directions there given 
and it will disappear. 

Wind-Galls.— These may be cured by rubbing a little creosote upon 
them once a day. 

Enlargement of the Thoraid Gland. — This is a tumor coming near 
the larynx, in some cases as large as a goose (i^^. 

Treatment. — Take 3 ozs. of the tincture of iodine, 1 oz. tincture of 
cautharides, 2 ozs. tincture of capsicum; mix and apply on the enlarge- 
ment every night, rubbing it in well. Should the parts become sore, stop 
the ute of it for a few days, then repeat the application There is no 
case bat this treatment will cure. 



3^ HORSE-Oll'NERS' MANUAL, 

Cheesey Tumors in the Nose. — This tumor is found in one or botli 
nostrils. It is a soft, spongy tumor, and to remove it, open it with a 
sharp pointed instrument, and, after squeezing the matter out, introduce 
a piece of nitrate of silver three-fourths of an inch long, move it around 
by the pressure of the thumb and finger ; let it remain in four hours, then 
open the tumor again, and with a smooth 2)robe of wood (running it 
around in the wound) you can remove the sack or cyst. It will heal up 
in a week without any furtlier trouble. These tumors cause hard or 
heavy breathing. 

Strain op the Stifle-Joint. — This injury is sometimes called 
" stifles," or the horse is said to be " stifled." In the acute stage, or if 
the injury has recently been done, there will be lameness, heat, and 
tenderness will be discovered on examination of the region of the stifle- 
joint by the hand. 

Treatment. — The part should be kept wetted with tincture of arnica 
4 ozs., water 3^ pint, mixed. As soon as the inflammation is subdued, 
if any swelling remains, it might be bathed with tincture of iodine 1 oz., 
oil of hemlock 2 ozs., mix and ajjply once a day^; the horse being kept 
quiet during the treatment. Should this treatment fail to remove the 
lameness, insert a rowel just below^ and in front of the joint, or, if the 
case is a very bad one, two may be required — one on the inside and one 
on the outside of the joint, and about three inches apart. The proper way 
to insert a a rowel is to cut a ring of leather, about an inch in diameter, 
and wrap it with flax or hemp, or thread will do; a hole is then cut in 
the skin, and the skin loosened in pocket form two or three inches down. 
The rowel is then moistened with Venice turpentine and passed down to 
the bottom of the pocket. The next day it will commence running. It 
is to be left in until it accomplishes the object or quits running. 

The pus or matter should be pressed out once a day, and the joarts out- 
side washed with w^arm water and castile soap, and then smeared with 
linseed oil; this will keep the hair from falling ofl'. 

The rowel should be taken out every day or two, washed, then smeared 
with the turpentine and replaced. A string may be tied to the rowel 
and the end left hanging just outside, by which to remove it more readily. 
After the rowel has accomplished the object it should be taken out, the 
matter well pressed out, and the parts washed as before. Dress the in- 
cision Avith a little green ointment made as follows : Take honey and 
beeswax y^ lb. each, raisins (chopped) and fine-cut tobacco 1^ lb. each, 
lard 1 lb.; simmer all well together, then strain and press out all from 
the dregs, and stir in 2 ozs. of spirits of turpentine and \i «z. of very 
finely pulverized verdigris, stirring until cold. The world cannot beat 
this ointment for general use. In deep w^ounds and old sores, it keeps 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. 33 

out proud flesh and heals beyond all calculation. It is good for cuts or 
sores on man or beast, and it has cured chilblains of three years stand- 
ing. I have sold the recipe for ten dollars to a number of parties. 

The following is the formula for making the justly celebrated carron 
oil, for the cure of burus, coUair galls, etc. : Take lime water, 4 ozs. ; lin- 
seed oil, 2 ozs.; mix, keep the burned part covered with muslin cloths 
well saturated in oil. 

To make lime-water, take unslaked lime, 1 oz., and put to it boiling 
water, 3 pints; which will give one quart of clear lime-water. 

Poll-Evil and Fistula — Positive Cure. — Common potash, }^ oz.; 
extract belladonna, }4. ^^^-5 g^^ arable, ^ oz.; dissolve the gum in 3 oz. 
water, then, having pulverized the potash (unless it is moist), mix the 
gum-water with it, and it will soon dissolve, then mix in the extract and 
it is ready for use. Directions : The best plan to get this into the pipes 
is by means of a small glass syringe. After having cleansed the sore 
with soap-suds, repeat, once in two days, until all the callous pipes and 
hard fibrous base around the poll-evil, or fistula, is completely destroyed ; 
heal the sore with the green ointment. This will destroy corns or warts 
as well as poll-evil by putting a little of it upon the wart or corn, letting 
it remain from five to ten minutes, then washing off and ajDplying sweet 
oil or vinegar — not squeezing them out. 

Flax-Seed Jelly. — Take one quart of flax seed, and put it in ten quarts 
of water, in a convenient vessel, and let it stand about twelve hours. 
Then put it over the fire and boil very slowly until it is boiled down to a 
thick jelly, which will take about three hours. It must be stirred con- 
stantly while boiling to keep it from burning. To this quantity add a 
double handful of salt, two ounces of ginger, and two ounces of ground 
poplar bark. The dose is one teacupful three times a day, to be given 
with cut or ground feed. While using this, give the horse a feed of. 
boiled barley once or twice a week to keep his bowels regular. There 
is nothing in the world that will improve the condition of a horse as 
quick as this jelly. It will cure hidebound, or unthriftiness, making the 
hair smooth and glossy. It is perfectly safe, and good for any horse, 
sick or well. This recipe is worth twenty-five dollars to any horseman. 

Rheumatic Ljniment. — Take i3roof alcohol, 2 qts , and add to it the 
following articles : oils of sassafras and hemlock, spirits of turpentine, 
tinctures of caj^enne, catechu, guac, and laudanum, of each 1 oz.; tincture 
of myrrh, 4 oz.; oil of origanum, 2 oz.; oil of wintergreen, 3^ oz.; gum 
camphor, 2 oz., and chloroform, 1 oz.; mix. This is one of the best lini- 
ments in use for the cure of sprains, bruises, cuts, jams, rheumatism, 
weak back, headache, toothache, neuralgia, &c. Remember that all 
liniments ought, in all cases where the skin is not broken, to be applied 



34 HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 

freely, and rubbed in until the parts feel hot from its effects, instead of 
one or two minutes as is the usual custom. To apply it in toothache, 
saturate a small piece of lint and press into the cavity ; in rheumatism 
and neuralgia, bind flannel on the parts and keep it wet with the liniment. 
No family should be without this liniment in the house. 

Iodine Ointment. — Get 1 ounce of the crude iodine, 1 pint of alcohol, 
and mix. Let this stand in the sun two days and you have tincture of 
iodine. Take 2 oz. of the tincture and 3^ lb of lard; mix well and you 
have iodine ointment. Capped hock and elbow may be cured by rubbing 
them with either the tincture or the ointment once a day. As regards 
the elbow tumor, however, should it feel soft and fluctuating, it may be 
opened at the lower part, which will liberate the contents. 

Colic — Cure for Horses or Persons. — Laudanum, i^ oz.; sulphuric 
ether, 1 oz. ; blood-warm water, 3^ pt. ; mix, and for a horse give all at a 
dose. The dose for a person would be from one to two teaspoonfuls ; 
children or weak persons less, according to the urgency of the symptons. 
I suppose there is no medicine in use for colic, either in man or horse, 
superior to this mixture. 

Rheumatism — Internal Remedy. — Sulphur and saltpetre, of each, 1 oz.; 
gum guaiac, 3^ oz.; colchicum root or seed and nutmeg, of each, 3^ oz.; 
all to be pulverized and mixed with simple syrup, 2 oz. Dose — One tea- 
spoonful every two hours until it moves the bowels rather freely; then 
three or four times daily until cured. This, used in connection with the 
external application of the Rheumatic Liniment, will cure any case where 
there is not calloes enlargement of the joints. 

Eye Water. — Table salt and white vitriol, of each, 1 tablespoonful ; 
heat them upon an earthen dish until dry (the heating drives off" the acrid 
or biting water, called the water of crystallization, making them much 
milder in their action) ; now add to them soft water, 3i pint, putting in 
white sugar, 1 tablespoonful, and blue vitriol, a piece the size of a small 
pea. If it should prove too strong in any case, add a little more soft water 
to a vial of it. Apply it to the eyes three or four times daily. To be 
applied to the lid and allowed to run down into the eye. In using any 
preparation for sore eyes, always repeat the application fifteen or twenty 
minutes from the first. This is proper for man or beast. For inflamma- 
tion of any part of the body, apply this by wetting cloths. Even for 
sores about the ears and groins of babes, reduce it, and three or four 
applications will cure them. 

Alterative Condition Powders. — Fenugreek seed, cream of tartar, 
gentian, sulphur, saltpetre, rosin, black antimony, and ginger, of each I 
oz.; cayenne 34 oz.; all to be finely pulverized and thoroughly mixed. 
Dose. — In ordinary cases give two teaspoonfuls once a day, in cut or 
ground feed. In extreme cases give it twice daily. 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR, js 

Quick Physic. — Croton oil, 20 drops; crude murcury 5 grains. To be 
given in a pint of gruel. Or croton oil, 20 drops, castor oil \ pt., or lin- 
seed oil 1 pt. To be given in extreme cases only. 

Common Physic. — Barbadoes aloes, powdered 1 oz.; ginger 3€oz. ; 
warm water 1 i^t., mix and give as a drench. 

Previous to physicing a horse, and during its operation, he should be 
fed on bran mashes, allowing plenty of chilled water, and if well enough 
have exercise. 

Cough Powder. — Tartar emetic 1 oz.; pulverized rosin 2 oz.; pulver- 
ized blood root 1 oz.; salts of tartar and ginger, of each 2 oz.; mix, and 
give one teaspoonful three times a day in the feed. 

Chronic Cough Tincture, — Tincture or blood root and balsam of 
tolo, of each four ounces; tincture of lobela and digitalis, of each two 
ounces; laudanum one ounce; oil of anise half a teaspoonful in an ounce 
of alcohol, mix well. Dose — About 2 tablespoonsful three times daily, 
in the same amount of honey, to be given in a pint of flax-seed tea. The 
dose for a person would be about half a teaspoonful three times daily, in 
the same amount of honey, increasing to a teaspoon if needed to loosen 
and lessen the cough. It has raised cases which doctor's said must die. 
If the cough is very troublesome when you lie down, put tar and spirits 
of nitre, of each one teaspoon, into a four ounce vial of water, shaking 
well; then when you feel those tickling sensations, just sip about a tea- 
spoon from the vial without shaking, and you can soon go to sleep. 

Cold Lotion for Inflammation. — Saltpeter 4 oz,, sugar of lead 1 oz.; 
muriate of ammonia 1 oz. ; common salt 1 pt., cold water 2 gallons, mix, 
and bathe the part affected often. 

To Reduce Swelling Caused by Hurt. — Common wormwood 2 oz., 
diluted alcohol 1 qt.; steep the herb in the liquor, and bind on the part, 
and keep it wet with the liquor. Smart weed used in the same way is 
excellent. 

To prevent inflammation following a hurt and abate the swelling, there 
can be no better remedy than tincture of Jimpson seed. To 2 oz., of the 
bruised seed add ^ pt., alcohol, let stand in the sun two days, and you 
have tincture of Jimpson. When used it should be diluted with an 
equal quantity of water. If this is not ahead of "Tincture of Arnica" for 
bruises, sprains, etc.,, then I will acknowledge that I don't know about 
such things. 

JiMPSiAcuM. — Pick about a bushel of jimpson leaves, while yet green 
having a suitable iron kettle placed over a slow fire ; put in a few of the 
leaves and mash them as you keep adding until you get them all mashed 
into a pulpy mass, then put in lard 5 lbs., and stew to a crisp; then strain 
and box for use. It is anodyne, (relieves pain) in burns, scalds, old 



jb HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 

ulcers, skin diseases, piles, etc., it is discutient, (reducing swelling) giv- 
ing tone to the muscles and tendons. 

To Prevent Catching Diseases. — Asafoetida \ oz., tied in a strong 
rag, and nailed to the manger or feed box ; also another piece in the bot- 
tom of the water bucket. If on a journey, a piece the size of a bean 
should be jjut in a strong rag and to the bridle bit. The asafoetida, thus 
used, prevents the horse from taking disease, and improves his coat. 

To Cleanse or Purify Infected Stables.' — For cleansing stables in 
which horses having glanders, farcy, strangles, mange or other conta- 
gious diseases, have been kept, scrub all parts o/ the stall, manger, rack, 
etc. ; then burn sulphur so as to fumigate the stall or stable perfectly. 
Put 1 lb. of chloride of lime in a pail of water, and whitewash the en- 
tire stable with the solution. The gearing, halters, and harness used 
about a diseased horse should be similarly treated, or thrown away. 
Freezing will remove the infectiousness of most diseases. 

To Drive Maggots Out of a Sore. — Pyroligneous acid a few drops, 
will drive them out, and prevent tlie fly from depositing more eggs in 
the sore. Spirits of turpentine will drive them out. 

To make a star on a horse's forehead, or spot him like a circus horse; 
shave the hair off the size and shape you desire the spot to be, and anoint 
the part shaved, with oil of vitrei, using a feather or Artists pencil. 
After using the vitrei, the place will become quite sore. It may be heal- 
ed by washing it with the wash for sores ; which is made by dissolving 2 
drachms copperas in a pint of &oft water. This is a valuable wash for 
old sores as well as recent ones. An ounce in the same quantity acts as 
a mild caustic, and may be used to destroy proud flesh. The powder is 
used as a "styptic" to stop blood in wounds, or accidents, in performing 
operations. 

Pulse. — The best place to feel the pulse, is at the angle of the under 
jaw-bone. It is soft and moderate in its action when the horse is in 
health, being about thirty-six to forty beats in a minute. During infla- 
mation the pulse is hard, and like a cord to the finger; it is likewise 
quick in proportion to the force of tlie disease. A slow, small pulse ac- 
companies debility, and a quick small, irregular pulse generally attends 
fever. 

Poultices. —When a poultice is applied to a part, it must be kept 
always wet. If suflered to dry, it always does harm. 

Fomentations. — In fomenting a part, keep it always covered, and 
when finished, dry it well, or evaporation will do more harm than the 
fomentation did good. 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. 



37 



HOW TO KNOW A HORSE'S AGE. 

Every treatise on farriery has instructed us to know a horse's age by 
the mark in his mouth; but not one in five hundred (a dealer excepted) 
can retain it in his mind. I have endeavored, therefore, to represent it. 
Every horse has six nipper-teeth before in each jaw; till he is two years 
and a half old they are all smooth and uniform in their upper surfaces. 
At two years and a half old he sj^eds the two middle teeth (by the young 
teeth rising and forcing the old ones out), which at three years old are 
replaced by two hollow ones. When he is about three years and a half 
old, he sheds two others, one on each side the two middle ones, which at 
four years old are replaced by two others, which are also hollow. The 
sharp single or bridle teeth begin to appear in the lower jaw, and when 
the horse is between five and six years old they are full grown, pointed, 
and concave in the middle. When he is four years and a half old, he 
sheds the two corner teeth, which at five are replaced also with two hol- 
low ones, grooved on the inside, which groove marks the age precisely. 
At six years of age this groove begins to fill up and disappear ; so do 
the hollow of the rest of the teeth, which continue till near seven and a 
half or eight years old, when all the teeth become uniformly full and 
smooth. 

Crafty jockeys will sometimes burn holes in the teeth to make them 
appear young; this is called bishoping ; but a discerning eye will soon 
discover the cheat. 

In the purchase of a horse, examine four things — his teeth, his legs, 
his wind, and his eyes. If his eyes are lively and clear, and you can see 
to the bottom, and the image of your face be reflected from thence, and 
not from the surface of the eye, they are good ; but if muddy, cloudy, 
or coal black, they are bad. 

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 

It is not always that we get medicines in the exact quantity of the 
apothecary that we wish to give. The following table will enable any 
one to judge with sufficient accuracy the proper amount in all common 
cases : 

One pound (lb.) contains - - 12 ounces. 

One ounce (oz.) " - - - 8 drachms. 

One drachm (dr.) '' - - - 3 scruples. 

One scrujDle (scru.) " - - - 20 grains. 

In liquid measure a pint contains 16 fluid ounces; two tablespoons 
make an ounce ; one teaspoonful one fluid drachm ; sixty drops make 
about one teaspoonful. In dry measure, the cuid or spoo;i should be 



S8 HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 

rounding to hold out weight, unless the article is heavy, such as salt, 
saltpeter, loaf sugar, etc., in which case level measure will do. 

Inflammation of the Udder or Garget in Cows. — Inflammation of 
the bag, or garget, usually attacks cows with the largest bags, and there- 
fore the best milkers are most subject to it. It occurs almost immedi- 
ately after calving. Symptoms : The first symptoms are loss of appe-' 
tite, and the animal is feverish, with a peculiar straddling of the hind 
legs. 

Treatment. — The cow must be milked immediately, and the bag fo- 
mented two or three times daily with hops, and give the salts physic. 
After the pain and inflammation have subsided, omit the fomentations, 
and rub the part with magnetic ointment (which see). Should the bag 
supperate and form an abcess, the latter must be opened with a lancet. 
The oriflce made by the lancet must be kept openbj'^ washing with warm 
soap-suds, and dried with a soft cloth, after which smear the parts with 
linseed oil, or ointment, otherwise a subsequent abcess will form. 

Physic for Cattle. — Cape aloes 4 drachms to an ounce, epsom salts 
4 to 6 oz., powdered ginger 3 drs. ; mix and give in a quart of gruel. 
For calves, one-fourth to one-half of this amount, according to the age. 
Or, linseed oil 1 pt., salts 4 oz., ginger 3 drs.; mix and give in the same 
proportions 

Bake in the Manifolds. — This is caused by the animal eating corn 
fodder or other dry food, and not having water regular. Symptoms: 
the animal will neither eat nor drink; lies down a considerable portion 
of the time ; and there is no falces passed, and but little water. 

Treatment.— In these cases the back rake, with enemas as for horses 
should be injected into the fundament; and the physicing persevered with 
until the alimentary canal is unlocked. 

Fl'vtulent Colic. — This is sometimes called "bloating." It is disten- 
tion of the intestines, by the formation of gas, caused l)y the animal 
eating green clover or other green food. If discovered before much 
bloated, immediately drench the animal with clilorate of potash 3^ oz., 
tincture of aloes 3 oz., warm water 1 i)t. ; mix. If this is not at hand, 
give a pint ot wiiiskey as ^ dreuch, and rub the swollen parts with the 
bottle. If the whiskey can't be had,, give a pint of warm water with 3 
oz of prepared chalk or salt — the chalk is best, if you have it. If you 
have no remedy already mentioned, and there is danger of rupture of the 
stomach, immediately puncture it with the small blade of your knife, 
selecting a place about four inches forward of the hip-bone, on the left 
side of the animal; this will liberate the gas and save the animal's life. 

Taking THE' Placanta Away. — This should be done within twenty- 
four hours after calving or the cow wont do well. The operation is per- 
formed in the following manner; secure the animals head with a rope to 



AND VETERINARY COUNSELOR. 



39 



the manger; grease the right hand and arm well, and pass it uj) the ver- 
gina, until you feel a string like substance; follow this up and feel where 
it is fast, then commence to cut it loose with your thumb and linger nails, 
taking care not to interfere with the ovias or buds as they are called 
After all loose parts are removed give a warm bran slop, and keep the 
animal warm and comfortable for a few days, and nature will do the 
rest. 

Hollow Horn. — This is a disease occuring generally in the winter 
and spring, among thin poorly wintered stock. The first symptoms that 
will be noticed, the animal looks hollow-eyed, the hair is rough, and the 
skin tight to the bones; the horns are cold, and the nose is dry and 
cold. 

Treatment. — Give the condition powders as to Horses; bore a small 
gimblet hole in the middle of the horn, just to the hollow, saturate a 
woUen cloth with balsam of fir, wind around and tie so that it can't slij^ 
oft'. Put a few dro^^s of spirits of turpentine on top of the head keeping 
the animal in a warm place with proper food, and a cure will follow. 

Big Jaw. — This is a swelling under the jaws. Blister the swelling 
until it either goes away or forms an abcess in which case use the lancet. 

SIGNS OF DISEASE IN THE HORSE. 

There are certain signs and symptoms present in every disease if we un- 
derstand which, we can diagnose the particular disease or lameness with 
as much certainty as if the horse could speak. 

The Pulse. — The pulse of a medium sized healthy horse beats about 
forty per minute. Any considerable increase of the pulse over forty per 
minute indicates fever or inflammation, and other symj)toms must be 
looked for to determine the particular locality of the disease. When 
great weakness ensues, the pulse becomes fluttering. 

The Membrane of the Nose. — This, in health, is of a light pink 
color. In fever and inflammation it is red. If of the lungs or air pass- 
age, it is more deeply colored, and specked with brown mucus. In the 
very last stage of most diseases, when death is about taking place, the 
membrane of the nose becomes of a dark leaden or livid color. In a-ian- 
ders it is of a light blue and reddish color, with specks of ulceration over 
it. In scarlet fever it is covered with scarlet spots. The ears, in disease 
lose their erectness and quickness of motion, and become dull, loose and 
fallen. The ears are cold in inflammation of the lungs and pleurisy. 
Slightly so in other diseases, as colic, etc. 

The Eyes — Weeping of the eyes is observed in colds, strangles ca- 
tarrhal f^ver, and glanders. Wlien the eyes become glassy in the ad- 
vanced stage of disease, it indicates that death is about to take place. 



40 HORSE-OWNERS' MANUAL, 

The Mouth. — The mouth is hot in fevers and inflammations. The 
mouth and tongue are clammy and offensive in severe fevers. 

The Breathing. — The breathing is rapid in fevers, laborious in in- 
flammation of the lungs ; laborious, short and catching in pleurisy, and 
difiicult in thick wind. The nostrels are much spread, in inflammation 
of the lungs and pleurisy; the breath is hot; deep snoring breathing in- 
dicates disease of the brain. 

The Feet. — Coldness of the feet indicates, 'inflammation of important 
internal organs, as the lungs, pleura, bowels, bladder, etc. 

The Hair. — The hair is dry and staring in farcy, glanders, indigestion, 
hide-bound from anj^ cause, Morms, mange, surfeit, all diseases of the 
skin, and starvation. The hair comes out in patches in mange, and in 
spots in surfeit. 

The Skin. — Heat of the skin is one of the principal signs of external 
local inflammation, it also shows the presence of some fevers of a general 
character. A yellowness about the mouth, eyes, and nose, shows jaundice 
or inflammation of the liver. 

The flanks heave in inflamation of the lungs, pleura and bowels. They 
are tucked up in glanders, farcy, indigestion, jaundice, and other dis- 
eases in which digestion is impaired. A kernel will be felt in the inside 
of the loose skin of the flanks, in the groin, in mange. The flanks throb 
in thumps. Bunches along the jugular vain indicate repeated bleeding 
for some acute disease to which the horse is subject. If the upper in- 
cisor teeth are worn more than the lower ones, the horse is a cribber. If 
the forward shoes are worn much more at the toe than heel, the horse is 
a careless stepper, or a stumbler. It is well to look to all of these things 
when we purchase. 




Dr. W. Saunders Operating Check. — This is to certify, that the 
owner of this book, has purchased of me the Right to use my invention, 
known as the Operating Check, represented in the above cut. 
Given under my hand and seal, this day of 

[L. S.] W. SAUNDERS. 




f)i'. ^auiidei'.'i' Opet'^ti^^ dl^edk. 




1> _ >/) 






o- a.. 
5- >"!>?> ^5 



S>^ 

;""»" 



^ -^i 






;->:>A 












:i>':r» 3> 









i>/i:> 












1) ^ 3 ) 

:? ~y '> x> 






> ^') JP JJ 



o3::> 



::?> 33 >i^ — -^-s. -T> 



S> :3.3;^ ,A> 



> 



:>3 3 T^..X> 3-> 



:> > > > ::^ :> ::^ 






■■)> v:/i. 









^ 









